How the Civil Code of Québec defines de facto spouses? | ScriptaLegal
Personal Law Business Law Packages & Subscriptions
Français About us Create a free account Log in
Interactive legal guides Legal frequently asked questions Legal blog Videos
ONLINE LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Frequently asked questions > Marriage > De facto union > How the Civil Code of Québec defines de facto spouses?

How the Civil Code of Québec defines de facto spouses?

In Quebec law, are considered as de facto spouses, two persons, of opposite sex or of the same sex, who live together and represent themselves publicly as a couple, regardless, unless otherwise stipulated, of the duration of their common life. There is, in Quebec law, no unique definition for de facto union, no more in the Civil Code of Quebec than in particular laws. The Interpretation Act, however, stipulates that: "... in the absence of a legal criterion for recognition of de facto union, a controversy arises as to the existence of community of life, this one is presumed as soon as the persons are cohabiting for at least one year or from the moment when they become parents of the same child." De facto spouses will however have to be attentive to the contents of the various particular laws which create rights in their favor, some of these laws evoke periods of cohabitation going from one year to three years or a period for less than one year when they become parents of a child together.

Save... Make your cohabitation agreement between de facto spouses online

This browser does not support this kind of file. Please download the file to view it: Download the file