Half the men in Seattle are never-married singles, census data shows

Marriages in the western world is a clear example of the 'overregulation'. And further marriage rate falls, more regulations are added. To the point that in Quebec various forms of cohabitation are considered as a marriage in court. That makes a relationship a serious liability.

"Common law marriage" is ... common ... at least under ... common law. Canada, like America, is influenced by the uniquely bad English common law heritage. Even Quebec with its pretend Frankenlaw system that blends civil and common law can't escape the influence.

Who made that happen in Quebec? I'm asking an honest question as an outsider. Trying to understand. Did 51% of the population want that? Did the government force it, even through 51%+ of the population didn't want it? I'm just curious. Your insights would be greatly appreciated. Which group wanted it and made it happen?

The most recent changes were proposed (and accepted) by Coalition avenir Québec for example.

> Did 51% of the population want that?

No. But that doesn't matter. Unpopular laws are passed all the time.

> Which group wanted it and made it happen?

Such laws have support from both sides of the political parties (not really from the grand public). CAQ party sees broad government interventions as a form of 'traditionality' while PLQ party sees them as 'protection of XYZ'.

I don't know about other countries but it mostly does not exist in the US. Only 9 states allow one to be created, one of which requires it to be certified by a court. And in those states that do you must intentionally, openly, and conspicuously hold yourself out as married... so the urban legends about accidentally ending up married are just that-- urban legends-- at least in the US.

Well, the beauty of the common law tradition is you, as a hypothetical co-habitator, have no idea whether you are "accidentally married" in any particular regard unless or until the matter comes before a judge for whatever reason. Your aggrieved former not-quite-spouse can make whatever claim to equitable judgement that they can imagine in, say, Colorado. Contrast this with, say, Poland or France, where under their civil traditions there is no chance whatsoever that your unmarried person who lived with you will be able to claim your estate when you have died.