you have lived together to be covered by the law? In most cases, the Act only covers de facto couples who have lived together in a de facto relationship for at least three years. If your relationship has lasted for less than three years, you may still be covered by the Act if there is a child, or if you have made a substantial contribution to the de facto relationship. Married couples and civil union partnerships are covered by the Act from the date of their marriage. If a marriage or civil union has lasted less than three years, different rules apply to the division of property. What if we lived together before we married? If a married couple or civil union partners lived together in a de facto relationship before they married or were civil unioned, then the period of the de facto relationship will be treated as if it were part of the marriage or civil union. Does the Act apply to spouses or partners during their relationship or only after the relationship ends? The Act can apply during relationships in certain circumstances. For instance, if one spouse or partner becomes bankrupt, or if one spouse or partner, who thinks the other is deliberately wasting the property, asks the Court to divide it. If one spouse or partner owns land, the other spouse or partner can put a notice on the title claiming an interest in the land. This can be done at any time during the relationship,