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De Facto Relationship
What is a De Facto?
De facto couples, thanks to the 2002 law change to the Property (Relationships) Act, now have the same rights as married couples – as long as they’ve been together for at least three years. According to the Property (Relationships) Act, the following should be taken into account when attempting to define what a de facto relationship is, under law: • The length of the relationship • The extent to which a couple share a home • The degree to which finances are merged • How the property is owned and used • Whether there is a sexual relationship • How the children are cared for and supported • Who does the housework • Mutual commitment to a shared life • Whether others saw the parties as a couple • “Any other matters” that seem appropriate |
