I’m 36 and have been with my current girlfriend for almost 5 years now - my longest relationship yet. We live together & everything else couply, just not married. I see marriage as unnecessary pressure that has a tendency to put strain on the relationship. Right now if we’re happy together we stay, if we’re not we split. Simple. Marriage complicates it.
Idk about the states but where I’m from common law is also 6 months and generally is considered if people are living together as a couple for 6 mos. then they are technically in a common law marriage. They can make the claim on taxes or health insurance benefits whatever other claims and it is legally allowed.
Two roommates who don’t claim that they’re married anywhere legally are not in a common law marriage.
Same sex marriage is legal in my country so I assume this rule applies to any couple living together.