8.3.1.3 Legality of Marriage as Affecting Entitlement

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

. To be eligible for death compensation benefits, the surviving spouse must have been legally married to the deceased employee at the time of the injury.^[35] Ordinary domestic relations law determines the validity of the marriage.^[36] The Industrial Commission cannot collaterally attack a superior court judgment of annulment.^[37] Arizona will recognize a marriage––including a common law marriage––if valid where contracted.^[38]

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^[35]Gamez v. Industrial Comm’n, 114 Ariz. 179, 559 P.2d 1094 (1976); Tipton v. Industrial Comm’n, 2 Ariz. App. 339, 409 P.2d 55 (1965); Black v. Industrial Comm’n, 83 Ariz. 121, 317 P.2d 553 (1957); Hack v. Industrial Comm’n, 74 Ariz. 305, 248 P.2d 863 (1952); compare Moore v. Industrial Comm’n, 24 Ariz. App. 324, 538 P.2d 411 (1975) with Hodges v. Industrial Comm’n, 73 Ariz. 326, 241 P.2d 431 (1952).

^[36]Gamez, supra note 35; Vandever v. Industrial Comm’n, 148 Ariz. 373, 714 P.2d 866 (Ct. App. 1985).

^[37]Jackson, supra note 26; Davis v. Industrial Comm’n, 88 Ariz. 117, 353 P.2d 627 (1960). But see State Compensation Fund v. Reed, 12 Ariz. App. 317, 470 P.2d 465 (1970).

^[38]Roy v. Industrial Comm’n, 97 Ariz. 98, 397 P.2d 211 (1964); Mission Ins. Co. v. Industrial Comm’n, 114 Ariz. 170, 559 P.2d 1085 (Ct. App. 1976); Gamez, supra note 35; Vandever, supra note 36; Ranger Ins. Co., supra note 34.