The ruling, by Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman, was part of an estate battle, according to the Austin-American Statesman. An Austin woman sought to have her eight-year relationship with a woman who died of cancer in June recognized as a common-law marriage.

"Oh, we had a marriage. It was definitely a marriage," Sonemaly Phrasavath, the woman challenging the state's ban, told KXAN late last year. "We carried ourselves as such. She was in every sense my wife and vice versa."

The Texas attorney general cannot appeal the ruling because he is not a party in the case, and the siblings of the deceased woman, who are challenging Phrasavath, have not decided whether they will appeal.

From Ron: Just to be clear, the family members of one of the gay partners are claiming that they, not her gay partner, should inherit her property. This is why gay marriage needs to be legal, because the straight family members may ignore and demean gay people while they are alive, but when property is involved the straights come out of the woodwork looking for gain.