De facto relationships qualify for the same sets of laws as that of married couples, says the court

De facto relationship refers to the relationship between same-sex couples or opposite-sex couples, who are living together, but are not legally married to each other nor related to each other by family. They should be living together as a genuine family. The relationship cannot be termed as a de facto relationship if the couple is related to each other by family or are legally married.

Almost every de facto relationship ends mutually. However, in some cases, there may arise a disagreement related to children or property or both. As there is no legal document to confirm the same, the government has passed an act to ensure that justice is not denied. All family lawyer’s will follow the guidelines of the law, including but not limited to 'The Family Law Act', which consists of certain factors which should be considered while determining a de facto relationship:

• The relationship is registered under the law of a state or a territory

• The time-span of the relationship

• The existence of sexual relationships

• The level of financial dependence

• Custody of the children

• The social standing of the relationship

• Mutual commitments, if any, and

• Property ownership.

Further, family law states that for all relationships which ended after March 2009 and fulfill any one of the above factors can be considered a de facto relationship. So, in cases where the couple isn't married (a de facto relationship) yet is seeking a settlement through family court, their case will be dealt with in a similar way as that of a legally married couple. Since the regulation of this act, the couple has around two years for the settlement of all sorts of disputes (issues like property settlement, child custody etc,). Edwards Family Lawyers and our family lawyers are well versed in these matters.