The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • Page 5

THE SUNDAY OKLAHOMAN Section A May 13. 1979 Common-Law Marriages Legal Non-Ceremonial Relationships Recognized in State Charred debris fills a hallway in the Crescent school complex Saturday. The complex's high school was destroyed in a Friday night blaze Staff Photo by Doug Hoke which also destroyed the gymnasium Three firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. School Fire Arson, Officiols Say By -Jim Etter CRESCENT A fire that destroyed the high school building here Friday night was set by arsonists, as was another school fire here about this same time a year ago authorities said Saturday. Investigators said they had no suspects and have not determined a motive.

arson very definitely," said James King, Enid, an agent of the state Fire Marshal's Office. He said "flammable liquid burn patterns" were found in the teacher lounge area of the high school wung of the school complex. The blaze, which broke out about 7:15 p.m., destroyed the high school wing, which inc ludes about eight classrooms and several offices, and the adjoining gymnasium. The junior high wing, which adjoins the gym on the other side, was damaged but was not destroyed, fire officials said. Initial reports had indicated it was the junior high wing that was destroyed.

There were no serious injuries. Both fire and school officials declined to estimate monetary damage. Fire Chief Stanley Marts said. superintendent and I and King have been together all day and we just can't come up with a thing, as to why anyone would do this." However. Police Chief Noel Galloway said he believes was just devilment by some kids or someone.

1 think it was done for kicks and just a repeat of the one we had a year ago. It was arson." Last year's fire destr oyed part of an elementary school building on the school grounds. It happened exactly one year, one month and one day before Friday night's fire, Mar ts said. Galloway said that fire was determined to have been set. but was never solved.

Marts said the Friday fire was discovered by some of about 23 seventh-grade students who were in the gymnasium having a class party. Some of them smelled smoke and alerted teachers about the time the fire was starting. Marts said. By Kevin Donovan By now, enough Johnny Carson monologues have aired and newspaper cartoons been inked to alert men who forego formal ceremony in taking mates to beware the Syndrome," or meltdown of the assets. But Oklahoma men who think their bachelor hood jeopardized will probably not be legally affected by any fallout from the recent California case in which Michelle Triola Marvin was awarded a small settlement for her contention actor Lee Marvin was obliged to share his property after their lengthy livp- in relationship was put asunder.

because there's nothing to affect, men you've always been held accountable under the eommon-law marriage statute of Oklahoma. And District Judge John M. Amick, chief of the Oklahoma County District Court's family relations division, believes that old idea is a good one. "It's still a very useful concept," he said. "Most people prefer a ceremonial marriage, but there are those that certainly agree to be husband and wife, to do everything together a husband and wife do, Four Die irr Fire MILWAUKEE (AP Four children died Saturday in a fire at a home on Milwaukee's south side, authorities said.

BE A WINNER IN REAL ESTATE Advanced tot Brokers Basic tor Sales bui don't go through he ceremony." Though divorce actions involving common-law spouses are hardly frequent. Judge Amick said they are "not uncommon." The divorce court, in such cases, is obliged to bear evidence that a marital relat i unship existed. rule (eommon- law marriage) enables us to determine if there was a marital status or they were simply living together." Amick said. Simply living together is called a relationship by lawyers, and no rights arise from that situation. But the eommon-law marriage doesn't require a notarized docu- ent even a straightforward verbal contract.

Amick said while a marriage contract might not be articulated. it is necessary for there to be a "common consent" to live together as man and wife. That's pretty vague territory, but the court considers cohabitation, children and any of those other things married people do as proof a contract existed. The longer a couple has lived together. Amick said, the more solid the proof of a marital relationship.

mmon-la marriage also has a back door application in the divorce court, Amick explained a divorce becomes final six months after the decree. During that period both parties are forbidden to remarry, but many divorced persons fail to honor the waiting period and marry soon after a judge settles their divorce actions. Under he law, Amick said, a marriage dur ing that waiting period can be voided. So. if the new- marriage partners decide to divorce, they can't use the legal document as proof of a contract.

To get around that, the parties can claim a "ommon-law marriage existed, a contention provable by their as a formally narried couple. rut 9-9 WSAT 94 SUN. I yREDUCED at 1 PM SUNDAY OVER 400 SUMMER to $20 TOPS Professional fuli-time teachers teaching Real Estate classes since 1955. June 4 to July 5 ENROLL NOW 1015 N. Walker 236-3586 Smoke Kills Man, 64 WOODWARD A 64- vear-old man died of apparent smoke inhalation Saturday morning, fire officials said.

Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Castor said firemen received a call that smoke was pouring out of the home of Jake Razien about 9:23 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find the shut house filled with smoke a smoldering couch. Castor said Razien apparently tell asleep while smoking Friday night. His cigarette ignited the sofa. The assistant chief said there was not enough oxygen in the air-tight house to allow' flames to ignite.

Castor said the sofa burned through the wooden floor and dropped beneath the house's crawl space. Razien was found next to the living room window. He was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Fire damage was minor and confined to the living room where floor and walls wrere burned, said Castor. The house suffered extensive smoke damage, however, he said.

Grant Awarded At East Central HOLDEN VILLE Dr. Stanley P. Wagner, president of East Central University, Ada, said Linda Campbell, Holdenville, has been awarded the Presidential Leadership Grant and will be a member of the President-All Leadership Class for the 1979 academic year. SPECIAL REG.S1.95 For One 5x7 Portrait or Four Wallets in NATURAL COLOR Additional Portraits from Original Package at Regular Prices: 8x10's Only $3.90 Each. ALSO SAVE OVER $4.50 On This $19.50 Package Two Three Twelve Wallets Apply your and Pay ONLY $14.00 More for 17 Beautiful Age limit 12 years.

Select from several poses and scenic backgrounds Copies and enlargements available at higher prices. Extra charge of $1.00 for 2 or 3 children together Special prices in effect these dates only: SHEPHERD MALL MAY 17-19 10 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm. MAYFAIR MAY 15-19 10 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm. CROSSROADS MALL MON. MAY 14-15 11 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm.

MIDWEST CITY MAY 17-19 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. This is 1977 JCPenney Co me JCPenney.