Opinion ID: 2593818
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: statutory requirements of unsolemnized marriage

Text: ¶ 12 Cecil challenges the court of appeals' affirmance of the trial court's finding that Linda had met the statutory requirements of section 30-1-4.5. Section 30-1-4.5(1) sets forth the following requirements to establish an unsolemnized marriage: (1) A marriage which is not solemnized according to this chapter shall be legal and valid if a court or administrative order establishes that it arises out of a contract between two consenting parties who: (a) are capable of giving consent; (b) are legally capable of entering a solemnized marriage under the provisions of this chapter; (c) have cohabited; (d) mutually assume marital rights, duties, and obligations; and (e) who hold themselves out as and have acquired a uniform and general reputation as husband and wife. Utah Code Ann. § 30-1-4.5(1) (1998). ¶ 13 Cecil argues that Linda failed to meet her burden of proving the following statutory requirements: (1) existence of a contract and consent of Cecil; (2) mutual assumption of marital rights, duties, and obligations; and (3) holding themselves out as, and acquisition of a reputation as, husband and wife. See id. § 30-1-4.5(1), (1)(a), (d), (e). In addition, Cecil claims that Linda failed to establish cohabitation for the period October 1, 1985 through August 28, 1996. See id. § 30-1-4.5(1)(c). ¶ 14 Cecil argues there was insufficient evidence produced at trial to support the trial court's findings. His challenge involves a review of the trial court's application of statutory requirements to factual findings and is a mixed question of law and fact. See Platts v. Parents Helping Parents, 947 P.2d 658, 661 (Utah 1997). We apply the same standard used by the court of appeals: a trial court's findings of fact will not be reversed unless they are clearly erroneous, and the trial court's application of the statute to those findings will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. See id.; Utah R. Civ. P. 52(a). ¶ 15 We agree with the court of appeals that there was considerable evidence adduced at trial on which the trial court could base its findings. First, there was ample evidence that Cecil consented to an unsolemnized marriage and that the Clarks mutually assumed marital rights, duties, and obligations. Cecil and Linda filed joint income tax returns; established joint checking and credit accounts; jointly purchased real estate holdings, including a shared residence; jointly purchased vehicles and other personal belongings together; shared household expenses; and slept in the same bed. Given the substantial amount of evidence showing the parties both consented to a marital relationship, the court of appeals was correct in affirming the trial court's findings. ¶ 16 Second, there was sufficient evidence establishing that Linda and Cecil held themselves out and had acquired a reputation as husband and wife. For example, Linda retained her married name of Clark, and both Linda and Cecil routinely introduced each other as husband and wife. Furthermore, at least two witnesses, including a neighbor and a former daughter-in-law, believed the Clarks were married. Those witnesses made that assumption because the Clarks were the [Clark children's] mom and dad and because the Clarks acted like a husband and wife would act. Again, the court of appeals was correct in affirming the trial court's finding that the Clarks held themselves out and had a reputation as husband and wife. ¶ 17 Finally, there was ample evidence supporting the trial court's finding of cohabitation. In his attempt to overturn the trial court's factual findings on this point, Cecil claims that during the period from October 1985 until August 28, 1995, he and Linda lived together off and on. Cecil, however, cites to nothing in the record to support his assertion. Further, even though the parties had a brief separation during December 1995 until June 1996, the record shows that during that time, Cecil stayed overnight at Linda's apartment, sent her cards expressing his love and affection for her, and contributed to her expenses including car repairs and rent. Cecil also argues that both Cecil and Linda had intimate relationships with other people, which evidence refutes the trial court's finding of cohabitation. Essentially, Cecil only asserts his own view of the evidence, and claims the court of appeals erred in failing to reweigh the evidence in his favor. We disagree. The court of appeals was correct in affirming this finding. ¶ 18 We agree with the court of appeals that the trial court's factual findings show that Linda met each of the required elements for establishment of an unsolemnized marriage; therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in its application of the statute. The court of appeals was correct in affirming the trial court's ruling that an unsolemnized marriage was established.