Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

yeah it all depends on where you live. for example in british columbia its only 2 years and you are considered 'common law'. as for division of assets, i am not really sure but once kids come into the picture, which it does for most at some point, it changes a lot in regards to what happens when you split up. in this day and age most couples share bank accounts or both pay into rent/mortgage. its not very typical that you have a women who has contributed nothing to the relationship monetarily.