At What Point Are People Who Live Together Considered By Law To Be Spouses?
People of opposite sexes who live together, not married to each other, may be considered spouses:
- under the Family Law Act, if they have been living together for five years less if they have a child together;
- under the Income Tax Act, if they have been living together for one year;
- various employee benefit plans will determine the criteria for applicability of health, dental and insurance plans to commonlaw spouses.