Watts v. Watts
Wisconsin Supreme Court
405 N.W.2d 305 (1987)
Sue Ann Evans (plaintiff) lived with James Watts (defendant) for twelve years in a marriage-like relationship, took his surname, quit her own career plans on his promise to provide for her, shared finances and tax filings, raised their children, and contributed unpaid labor to housekeeping and a family business; after the couple separated, the circuit court dismissed her claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and partition of jointly accumulated wealth for failure to state a claim, and Sue appealed.
Whether unmarried cohabitants who lived together as a married couple, without ever formally marrying, may each be entitled to a share of the wealth jointly accumulated during that cohabitation.