The phrase "putative spouse" refers to someone who is believed or assumed to be a person's legal spouse, but there may be some doubt or uncertainty about the validity of the marriage.
Sentences with «putative spouse»
The status of putative spouse is eliminated by the knowledge of the fact that she is not legally married, and no further acquisition of spousal rights is permitted. (illinoislegalaid.org)
Cohabiting couples also might establish property rights as putative spouses. (info.legalzoom.com)
Davis, 521 S.W. 2d 603; Putative spouse rights; Putative divorce — only necessary to rule out those proceedings where H might reasonably have been expected to have pursued divorce; A putative wife is entitled to the same right in property acquired during her marital relationship as if she were a lawful W; Lord Mansfield rule re H & W not applicable to 3rd party evidence admissibility to prove no access to W for legitimacy purposes. (tholstruplaw.com)