Common-law marriage is recognized in very, very few states. Let's say a man and woman live together in one of these states and hold themselves out to the world/community as a married couple (that is, they present themselves as "man and wife," "Mr. and Mrs.") After what is usually several years of living as such, the law of the state in which they reside will recognize them as husband and wife, the same as a ceremonial marriage. When the common-law couple breaks up, depending on jurisdiction, they may have to go through the same end-the-marriage formalities as those who are formally married. Most common-law marriages are only recognized upon the death of one spouse, for inheritance purposes.
On the other hand, if a couple does not meet the requirements in the state or their state does not recognize common-law marriages, when they split, they can just go their separate ways. That's because there is nothing to dissolve since they have no legally binding contract with each other.
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