Does California recognize common law marriages?

California has abolished the recognition of  common law marriages. Therefore, there is no such thing as a "common law husband" or a "common law wife" in California.  However, nonmarital partners may have created certain rights and responsibilities as a result of their partnership and subsequent conduct. In general, actions to enforce these rights have been called "Marvin actions" (named after actor Lee Marvin and his court battle with Michelle Marvin.)  They rely on principles of contract law and equity.  In general, such actions assert claims on the property and income of one of the nonmarital partners. 

If there are children involved, then custody, support and visitation of the children are governed by the Family Code.