[PeterisP]

It can't be handled in small claims court because the claims aren't small and exceed the limits of what a small claims court can rule on - I mean, if someone has spent 20 years in that 'common law marriage' then that generally comes to the full extent of divorce proceedings - how to divide up the house, car(s), other property and custody of children.

[thaumasiotes]

"It" referred to this earlier hypothetical:

> I have no idea what happens if two non-romantic roomates buy a couch together, and one of them moves out though.

I'd certainly hope the couch would fall under the $10,000 limit for small claims.

[nkrisc]

I should have been more specific. I was referring to the question about what happens when roommates buy a couch together in order to illustrate it's not quite the same.