The Question:
I lived with a man for 10 years. He didn’t want me to work and took care of everything. Now that we’ve separated, do I have any legal right to support? Does Arizona recognize common law marriages or palimony?
RJ Says:
Arizona does not recognize common law marriage. That means if you weren’t legally married, there’s no statutory basis to request spousal maintenance, no matter how long you lived together or what financial arrangements you had.
There is one exception. If you entered into a valid common law marriage in another state that does recognize them—before moving to Arizona—then Arizona will honor that marriage. But it has to meet the requirements of the original state before you relocated.
Arizona also does not recognize “palimony,” which is the concept of financial support after the end of a long-term, non-marital relationship.
The only potential way to seek financial support in a situation like yours is by proving the existence of a contract—either written or verbal—that provides for support or division of property after separation. That might include a cohabitation agreement or domestic partnership arrangement, but these are rare and can be difficult to enforce without clear documentation.
If you believe some kind of financial agreement existed, it’s important to speak with an experienced Phoenix divorce attorney. We offer free 30-minute consultations to help evaluate your situation and determine what legal options, if any, may be available to you.
Call (602) 256-7575 to schedule.