Legal Definitions - meretricious relationship

A meretricious relationship refers to a long-term, committed partnership where two individuals live together and share their lives in a way that closely resembles a marriage, but they are fully aware that they are not legally married to each other. This term is considered somewhat archaic in modern legal language.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Long-Term Unmarried Partnership
  Sarah and Mark have lived together for 25 years. They jointly own a home, share bank accounts, have raised children together, and present themselves as a couple to their community. Despite their deep commitment and shared life, they never formally married, and both have always understood that they do not have the legal status of spouses.

  This illustrates a meretricious relationship because Sarah and Mark maintain a stable, marriage-like household, cohabiting and sharing responsibilities, while both are fully aware that a legal marriage between them does not exist.

• Example 2: Partnership While One Party is Legally Married to Another
  David separated from his wife, Emily, but never finalized their divorce. Years later, he moved in with Lisa, and they lived together as a couple for 15 years, sharing all expenses, raising Lisa's children, and making joint life decisions. Both David and Lisa knew that David was still legally married to Emily, meaning they could not lawfully marry each other.

  This demonstrates a meretricious relationship because David and Lisa formed a stable, marriage-like partnership, cohabiting and sharing their lives, with the mutual understanding that a lawful marriage between them was not possible due to David's existing legal marriage.

• Example 3: Intentional Decision Not to Marry
  Alex and Ben decided early in their relationship that they did not wish to pursue a legal marriage for personal philosophical reasons, even though they were deeply committed to each other. Over 30 years, they purchased property together, named each other as beneficiaries on insurance policies, and made all significant life decisions as a united pair. They consistently acknowledged that their partnership was not a legal marriage.

  This exemplifies a meretricious relationship because Alex and Ben maintained a stable, marriage-like partnership, cohabiting and intertwining their lives, based on an intentional and mutual understanding that they were not, and would not become, legally married.