How does Georgia treat cohabiting couples who are not married?

Cohabiting couples in Georgia who are not married generally do not have recognized legal rights related to their relationship. The state does not provide the same legal protections or rights to unmarried cohabiting partners as it does to married couples. This means that, in the absence of a formal marriage, issues such as property rights, inheritance, and spousal rights are not automatically granted to individuals in these relationships.

In contrast, some other options suggest that such couples may have rights or recognition that the law does not actually provide. For example, while there are avenues for property rights through contracts or agreements, this is not the same as an automatic legal recognition or entitlement that exists in marriage. Additionally, claims of common law marriage are not applicable in Georgia, as the state does not recognize common law marriages established after January 1, 1997.

Understanding that Georgia's legal framework does not extend specific rights or protections to cohabiting couples reinforces the idea that option C clearly describes the legal stance taken by the state concerning unmarried cohabiting partners.