What is palimony?

Palimony is a legal term used to refer to financial support or monetary compensation given to a former partner in a non-marital relationship, typically when the relationship ends. Although it resembles alimony, which is awarded to a divorced spouse, palimony is a distinct concept as it applies to couples who were not married but lived together as domestic partners.

The origin of palimony dates back to a famous court case in California in the 1970s, Marvin v. Marvin, which involved actor Lee Marvin and his former girlfriend Michelle Marvin. Michelle Marvin claimed that she was entitled to financial support based on an alleged oral agreement between the couple. The court ruled in favor of Michelle Marvin, recognizing that unmarried partners who live together may have rights similar to those of married couples.

Since then, many states in the United States have enacted palimony laws to provide certain protections for cohabiting partners who may have contributed to the relationship, financially or otherwise, and may be left financially disadvantaged after separation. However, palimony laws vary widely from state to state. Some states have no specific palimony laws, while others have established specific criteria that need to be met for palimony to be awarded.

To establish a palimony claim, certain factors may be considered, such as the length of the relationship, mutual intent to support each other, financial contributions made by each partner, and the extent to which the recipient partner relied on the other for financial support. It is often necessary to provide evidence of a legally enforceable agreement, whether written or oral, to support a palimony claim.

It is important to note that palimony is not available in all countries and jurisdictions. In some places, there may be alternative legal remedies, such as unjust enrichment or constructive trust claims, that can be pursued to seek financial compensation in similar situations.

Overall, palimony provides a potential legal avenue for financial support for some individuals in non-marital relationships, but the availability and specific requirements for palimony vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the relationship was established.