Collins v. Guggenheim, 417 Mass. 615 (1994).

The Court held that "cohabitation in Massachusetts does not create the relationship of husband and wife in the absence of a formal solemnization of marriage… [and] the incidents of the marital relationship [do not] attach to an arrangement of cohabitation...common-law marriage is not recognized in Massachusetts.”

Commonwealth v. Lane, 113 Mass. 458 (1873).

The court held that “we ordinarily extend recognition to out-of-State marriages under principles of comity, even if such marriages would be prohibited here, unless the marriage violates Massachusetts public policy, including polygamy, consanguinity and affinity.”

Elia-Warnken v. Elia, 463 Mass. 29 (2012).

The Supreme Judicial Court “recognized a Vermont civil union as the equivalent of marriage in the Commonwealth under principles of comity.” Thus, where the plaintiff entered into a Massachusetts marriage without having dissolved his prior Vermont civil union, his marriage was void ab initio pursuant to G. L .c. 207 § 8.

Parton v. Hervey , 67 Mass. 119 (1854)

Discussion of the validity of marriage of minors above the age of consent without parental consent.

Shea v. Cameron, 92 Mass. App. Ct. 731 (2018)

A claim of fraudulent inducement to marriage is barred by the Heart Balm Act (act), G. L. c. 207, § 47A.