Millions in alimony denied in Quebec common-law case

The woman known as "Lola" lost her constitutional challenge on Thursday to try to get unmarried couples treated the same as married couples when their relationships end.

Lola asked the Quebec Superior Court to strike down a series of federal and provincial laws. She also asked for a $50-million lump-sum payment from her former spouse and $56,000 a month in alimony.

The court rejected her claims against her former spouse, who is a well-known Quebec tycoon.

Lola, who cannot be named because the court case involves children, was 17 when she met the 32-year-old entrepreneur with whom she spent 10 years. They had three children together but never married.

Their relationship broke down and she went to court, arguing that it’s unconstitutional to have different laws for common-law couples and married couples when their relationships break down.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Carole Hallée said under existing law, partners in a common-law relationship have no rights, no duties and no responsibilities to each other; no matter how many years they've lived together.

Hallée said in the course of the trial, Lola was unable to give concrete examples of how common-law couples are discriminated against.

The judge said current laws do, in fact, protect the rights of unmarried people who choose to live together.