As we said in section 4.12.6 of the Great IRS Hoax and following, you are making a BIG mistake when you get a state marriage license.  Here is some specific help based on your marriage situation:

1.  Not married yet

1.1.  Complete and file the Notice of Intent to Marry in Section 3.5 and file with your county recorder.

1.2.  Both parties get independent legal counsel of their own.  Each has their own family law attorney review the Marriage Contract in section 3.5 and make the necessary modifications in a way that is acceptable to both parties.

1.3.  The two parties and their attorneys and three witnesses sign two original copies of the the marriage contract.  Note that the signing MUST happen before the wedding.  Each party gets their own copy of the contract and puts it in a safe place.  The contract is NOT provided to third parties or filed with the county courthouse.

1.4.  Get married, and have the priest, three witnesses, and the spouses sign in two family bibles…one for her and one for him.  This is all the proof you need of a common law marriage.

2.  Already married

2.1.  Both parties get independent legal counsel of their own.  Each has their own family law attorney review the Marriage Contract in Section 9.5.2 and make the necessary modifications in a way that is acceptable to both parties.

2.2.  Get divorced by normal methods prescribed by your state by filing the appropriate papers with the family law court in your county.  The best way to do this is with a summary dissolution and for both of you to do it in pro per.  That way no attorneys need be involved and there is not litigation.

2.3.  After the parties are divorced, the two parties and their attorneys and three witnesses sign two original copies of the marriage contract.  Each party gets their own copy of the contract and puts it in a safe place.  The contract is NOT provided to third parties or filed with the county courthouse.