---
title: "Do Common-Law Couples Have the Same Rights as Married in Quebec? ✦ Goldwater Droit"
canonical_url: "https://goldwaterdroit.com/en/faqs/do-common-law-couples-have-the-same-rights-as-married-quebec"
last_updated: "2026-09-15T21:55:02.594Z"
locale: en
meta:
  description: "No. In Quebec, de facto partners don't get the spousal rights of married couples (Quebec v. A, 2013 SCC 5). Living together alone creates no sharing rights."
  "og:description": "No. In Quebec, de facto partners don't get the spousal rights of married couples (Quebec v. A, 2013 SCC 5). Living together alone creates no sharing rights."
  "og:title": "Do Common-Law Couples Have the Same Rights as Married in Quebec?"
---

# Do common-law couples have the same rights as married couples in Quebec?

No. In Quebec civil law, marriage and civil union are the only recognized unions, and the rights and duties that apply to spouses—such as the family patrimony and spousal support—do not apply to de facto (common-law) partners. The Supreme Court of Canada confirmed this framework in Quebec (Attorney General) v. A, 2013 SCC 5. Living together, even for many years, does not by itself create property-sharing or spousal-support rights between the partners. De facto union can still have some legal effects, and partners can create rights by contract or pursue limited remedies such as unjust enrichment. A recent and important exception is the parental union regime, which since June 30, 2025 gives certain automatic protections to common-law parents who have a child together.

Civil Code of Québec, arts. 391 et seq. (effects of marriage do not apply to de facto spouses) Case: Quebec (Attorney General) v. A, 2013 SCC 5