Common law wife

My understanding is that a wife automatically has some entitlement to a share of her husband's earnings and assets in her own right whereas an unmarried partner is only entitled to maintenance for children. I don't know if that prevents a partner bringing civil proceedings to claim more than child maintenance.

Anyway, my understanding is that an unmarried partner is certainly at a disadvantage if the relationship ends.

I can't speak for your area or country but I know there are some countries where, after two years, the couple are treated as having been married after two years, for the purpose of asset division, should they part ways.

I don’t think so. I believe that law only applies in Scotland, but I could be wrong....