Cooper v. April

The plaintiff and defendant entered into a written so-called marriage contract, the plaintiff being in the service of the United States and outside the country. It was stipulated that it should be governed by the law of Pennsylvania, the defendant being a resident of that state. The plaintiff was informed by his superior that no further payments to the defendant would be acknowledged by the government, as the marriage was no longer recognized.

Pennsylvania recognizes common-law marriages and no ceremonial rite is required. In 1943 a bill abolishing common-law marriages was passed in the house…