Making a Life Together Without Being Married: Common-Law Relationships, Parental Unions and Civil Unions

Living as a couple doesn’t automatically mean you’re married. Many couples in Quebec choose other types of unions with different legal effects, protections and rights.

Common-law couples

Have you been living with your partner without children for at least two years? You’re probably in a common-law relationship, officially called a “de facto union.” 

How long does it take to become a common-law couple?  

The Civil Code of Québec doesn’t say how much time it takes to become a common-law couple. Different laws set different timeframes. For example, if you and your partner have lived together as a couple for more than 12 months, Revenu Québec would consider you to be common-law partners, officially called “de facto spouses.” 

Few protections 

There are some legal benefits to being in a common-law relationship, although these are more limited than the benefits of other unions. Here are some benefits: 

• The Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec give common-law couples the same tax benefits as married couples. 
• Common-law couples can adopt children in Quebec. 
• Common-law couples can consent to medical treatment for their partner if they can’t consent on their own. 
• Common-law couples can benefit from coverage under their partner’s private health or drug insurance plan. 

But common-law partners aren’t entitled to these protections:    

• division of property if you and your partner separate, 
• protection of the family residence, 
• part of the inheritance if your partner dies without a will, 
• spousal support, 
• a compensatory allowance. 

How can you protect yourself?

You and your partner can create a cohabitation agreement, which allows you to agree on aspects of your life together and what will happen if you separate. For example, you can decide how you’ll divide your property, whether to pay spousal support and what will happen to your family residence.  

To protect yourself in case of incapacity, you can sign a protection mandate, which names someone to look after your wellbeing and property. If you wish to leave property to your common-law partner when you die, be sure to write a will. 

Civil unions: Similar to marriage  

Civil unions are very similar to marriage. Both civil unions and marriages have these legal effects: 

• A family patrimony is created. 
• If one spouse dies without a will, the surviving spouse will inherit from them. 
• Property will be divided and shared at the end of the union.  
• You can ask for spousal support at the end of the union.  

The major difference between a marriage and a civil union is that couples in a civil union don’t have to get divorced if they separate. If you don’t have a child, and you and your partner agree on issues related to your separation, a simple joint declaration in front of a notary is enough to end a civil union. 

If you and your partner have children and don’t agree on some aspects of your separation, you must get a court judgment to end your civil union. In this case, you can consult a lawyer.  

Common-law couples with children: Parental unions 

You and your partner are automatically in a parental union if you meet these three conditions:   

• You’re making a life together. 
• Neither of you is married or in a civil union. 
• You have a child together who was born or adopted on or after June 30, 2025. 

If your child was born or adopted before June 30, 2025, you can also choose to form a parental union. 

More than a common-law relationship, less than a marriage or civil union  

A parental union has the same characteristics as a common-law relationship, but with more protections. For example, when a parental union forms, a parental union patrimony is automatically created, converting some of your property into shared property.  If you separate, or if one of you dies, the property in this patrimony is divided and shared. 

Another major protection involves dying without a will. If you’re in a parental union, and your partner dies without a will, you’re automatically entitled to one-third of their property.  

If you separate, you may also be entitled to a compensatory allowance if you lost wealth during the parental union while your partner’s wealth increased.  

Couples in a parental union also benefit from the protection of the family residence. For example, even if you’re not an owner, your partner can’t mortgage the family residence, rent it long term or sell it without your consent. 

Frequently Asked Questions