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7 Bizarre Texas Marriage Laws (Including One Where You Don’t Even Have to Show Up)

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weird marriage laws in Texas
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Do you live in Texas? Some of the laws surrounding marriage in the Lone Star State are nothing short of bizarre. Here are seven Texas marriage laws that will make you scratch your head in confusion. Believe it or not, some of these laws are still on the books, even if they’re rarely enforced. From handshake weddings to marriage by proxy, Texas has its fair share of legal quirks. Whether you’re a native or just curious, these laws might just surprise you.

1. Common Law Marriage

Texas is one of the states that recognizes common law marriage. So, if you and your partner live together and represent yourself as married, you don’t even need a ceremony in Texas. Couples can register their common-law marriage by filing a Declaration of Informal Marriage with the county clerk. This includes same-sex couples. You may need to provide documents like tax returns or lease agreements to prove a common law marriage.

2. Marriage by Proxy

Imagine not having to show up to your own wedding. In Texas, one person can stand in for another during a marriage ceremony if one party is unable to attend due to military service or incarceration. That means someone can legally get married without being physically present. The person appointed must be an adult and can’t be the other person they are marrying.

3. Marriage Between In-Laws Is Prohibited

Texas law prohibits marriage between individuals and their parents-in-law, stepchildren, and siblings-in-law. Even if there’s no biological relation, these unions are off-limits. This prohibited union falls under Texas family code. The marriage will be considered void. It will be like the marriage never happened in the eyes of the law.

4. Underage Marriage Was Legal With Parental Consent (Until Recently)

Texas used to allow minors as young as 14 to marry with a judge’s permission. The law changed in 2017. Now you must be at least 18. You can get married at 16-17 with court approval, not just parental consent. This loophole only is if the persons under 18 are legally emancipated.

5. You Can Marry Your First Cousin—If You Already Did in Another State

Texas law prohibits first cousin marriages. In fact, it is illegal and is a criminal offense. Alabama, California, and Vermont are some of the states in the United States with no prohibitions against first-cousin marriages. If you were legally married to your cousin in a state that allows it, Texas will recognize your marriage. It’s an odd legal loophole that causes confusion for relocating families.

6. Officiants Don’t Need to Register

Unlike some states that require officiants to register with a court or clerk, Texas doesn’t require any registration. That means almost anyone who is ordained can legally marry you, no questions asked. This has led to some creative weddings officiated by friends, family members, or even online-ordained ministers. While this flexibility makes it easy to find someone to perform the ceremony, it also means it’s important to confirm the officiant’s authority before your big day.

7. You Have 90 Days to Use a Marriage License

Once you get your license, you have exactly 90 days to tie the knot. If you don’t, you’ll need to start over with a new application. Forgetting this step can lead to an awkward legal surprise. This time limit ensures that your marriage is based on a recent intent to wed. So, don’t delay. Plan your ceremony within that window to keep everything valid.

Weird Marriage Laws in Texas

Marriage laws in Texas are a mix of old traditions, legal quirks, and modern flexibility. While some of these rules might make you laugh, or scratch your head, they reflect the state’s unique legal history and evolving social norms. Whether you’re planning a wedding, considering common-law marriage, or just curious about what’s legally allowed, it’s always smart to know the law. After all, in Texas, getting married can be as simple as a handshake or as complicated as a courtroom.

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6 Amazing Jobs That Were Once Considered Side Hustles

Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear

6 Amazing Jobs That Were Once Considered Side Hustles

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side hustles that have become jobs
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Not long ago, some of today’s most lucrative careers were considered side gigs or hobbies. As technology evolved and cultural norms shifted, these once “just-for-fun” jobs turned into full-blown professions. Many of these side hustles turned jobs also allow you to work for yourself. Today, according to the US Bureau of Labor,  there were 9.84 million self-employed people in the United States in 2024. Here are six amazing jobs that were once considered side hustles:

1. Social Media Manager

What started as casually posting on Facebook or Instagram has evolved into a vital business role. For example, 90% of local businesses use social media as part of their marketing strategy, while 78% of them rely on social media to help drive revenue. Today, social media managers shape brand identity, drive sales, and manage entire digital marketing campaigns. In the US, Social Media Managers can expect to earn between $40,000 and $160,000 annually, with an average salary of around $73,547 according to Built In.

2. YouTuber or Content Creator

Uploading videos for fun used to be a hobby. Now, content creators on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch can build empires, earn sponsorships, and even launch product lines. The creator economy is now a multi-billion-dollar industry.

3. Freelance Graphic Designer

Once considered gig work for art or communications students, freelance design is now a booming business. Many companies outsource their graphic design work to freelancers instead of having in-house departments. In 2022, 47% of outsourced creative services were graphic design, making it the most outsourced, according to Statista. With platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and direct brand contracting, talented designers are making sustainable incomes, Additionally, many freelancers are even launching their own agencies.

4. Virtual Assistant

What started as a part-time admin gig has become a legitimate remote career. According to Entrepreneur, businesses can save as much as 78% of their operating costs by hiring virtual assistants compared to in-house workers. Virtual assistants now handle everything from executive support to social media and project management, often for multiple clients at once.

5. Etsy Seller or Handmade Business Owner

Crafting used to be a weekend hobby. Now, Etsy sellers create thriving e-commerce businesses. Many sellers earn full-time incomes selling handmade jewelry, art, and decor. Platforms like Etsy allow sellers to have a global reach without building their own sites or investing in advertising.

6. Blogger or Copywriter

Once seen as a creative outlet, writing blogs and website content is now a career. SEO knowledge and niche expertise can turn writing into a six-figure freelance or corporate job, with bloggers earning money through ads, affiliate links, and sponsorships. In the U.S., there are approximately 131,200 employed copywriters.

Side Hustles Turned Jobs

These jobs prove that passion projects and side hustles can turn into powerful careers. What was once “just a side hustle” might be tomorrow’s dream job. So, don’t underestimate the value of your interests. Anything can become a lucrative business or job if you give it the time to grow.

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Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear

How Unique Apps Can Streamline Your Personal Life and Business

Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear

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What is privilege?
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When you think of privilege, you probably think of someone who has been fed with a silver spoon. We use it to describe everything from race and gender to wealth and education. If you have invisible advantages, you’re privileged. But does privilege really exist anymore, or are we all just trying to get by? Has privilege disappeared among economic instability, political polarization, and cultural fragmentation? The answer is yes, but not in the way we are accustomed to.

Is Privilege a Thing of The Past?

In 2025, as inflation eats away at middle-class stability, job markets are reshaped by AI, and even the wealthy grapple with climate anxiety and social unrest, some ask: Does anyone actually have privilege? The uncomfortable answer is that privilege hasn’t disappeared. It’s just become more layered, more hidden, and more complex than the culture wars allow us to admit.

Thinking about privilege is often ignored today. Many of us don’t have this conversation because of fatigue. We’re so tired of hearing about privilege when we are struggling. But it’s important to get to the truth and not look at privilege as a dirty word for someone who has never struggled in life.

In fact, the very idea of privilege has been politicized, weaponized, and oversimplified. People hear the word and shut down because they associate it with blame or guilt. But privilege isn’t always something you choose — it’s often just something you were born into. And acknowledging it doesn’t mean you haven’t worked hard.

The New Privileged Class

So who is the privileged class? Maybe it’s just people who haven’t endured as much hardship. It’s not to say that they have avoided the chaos of life altogether, but have struggled less than some. Privilege today can look like having access to private insurance and good health. It can be a college degree with no student debt. It may even be citizenship in a country that has a strong democracy and no war. Maybe for others, it looks like having a stable job where you can afford childcare.

It could even mean something as simple as generational wealth, like having parents who could help with a down payment on a home, or who didn’t pass down debt. In today’s world, even time and mental space are privileges. The ability to plan ahead, rest, or pursue personal growth is not universal.

Respecting Each Other’s Experiences

We shouldn’t write off each other’s experiences and situations. Just because someone is privileged in one area of their life doesn’t mean that their experiences aren’t valid. No one today is privileged in the same way we once thought about it. Maybe only the ultra-wealthy are truly privileged. In reality, the middle class has all but disappeared in the US, and we all struggle to some extent. Ignoring privilege doesn’t eliminate inequality. But reframing the conversation may help. When we truly walk in each other’s shoes, we can find common ground and understanding.

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5 Hidden Barriers That Quietly Punish the Working Poor

How Unique Apps Can Streamline Your Personal Life and Business