Spousal rights: We're not together but never divorced

Even where spouses are no longer living together and are no longer in an intimate and committed relationship for some time, they are still married in the eyes of the law, writes rural solicitor Karen Walsh.

The letter writer says she is worried she will be left homeless. File picture.

Dear Karen,

I got married about 40 years ago and my husband left me for another woman shortly after having our child. It was a funny sort of relationship in that we were amicable enough, but we never formally separated or divorced and now and again he gave money towards the rearing of our daughter.