Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Concubinage is when a man and woman live together without getting married. It's like having a girlfriend or boyfriend, but they live together like a family. Sometimes people use this word to mean having a mistress or a lover. In the past, it was also used in a legal way to say that someone was not really married, but just a concubine. This could be important if someone was trying to claim land or money from the person they were living with.
Definition: Concubinage is the relationship between a man and a woman who live together without being married.
For example, if John and Jane live together and have a romantic relationship but are not legally married, they are in a state of concubinage.
In the past, concubinage was also used as a legal term in cases where a woman claimed dower (a widow's right to a portion of her deceased husband's property). If the defendant argued that the plaintiff was not the deceased husband's legal wife but rather his concubine, it could affect the plaintiff's claim to dower.
Overall, concubinage refers to a relationship that is not recognized as a legal marriage.