Rod, at 13:45 on May 24 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

PE> It is normal to say "your wife" in that situation, but I
PE> remembered you were LIVING IN SIN!!!  .

BG> Doesn't matter these days (and after my first marriage,
BG> I started believing in long engagements), after 2 years
BG> of living together IN SIN , common-law wives have
BG> the same rights as those who are legally married anyway.

RS> That depends on the state, its a state matter with defactos.

Yeah, I was replying with the NSW law in the context of Paul's living
there, but up here, defactos have no such rights, and have no legal claim
on property in the case of separation, unless they have documentary
evidence of their own personal financial contribution to said property. 
The period is irrelevant.

Pisses off our local feminsts no end too, I might add.  :)

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

--- MsgedSQ/2 3.30