[2muchcoffeeman]

As a man, I simply refused to to marry. It's just a legal contract which is potentially life destroying for me.

In Australia you’d be defacto and thus more or less married.

[jhauris]

In the U.S. too, people just don't seem to realize it.

[refurb]

No, only a handful of state have common law marriage. California is not one of them.

Canada however has common law marriage. No nuptials needed, assets are split and alimony is possible just from living together long enough.

[jhauris]

Despite not having common law marriage, there are a number of factors that can cause asset splitting in California, since the '70s.

https://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/family-law/family-law-ke...

Note there was an oral agreement, and that is a factor.