palimony

Term has meaning similar to "alimony" except that award, settlement or agreement arises out of nonmarital relationship of parties (i.e. nonmarital partners). It has been held that courts should enforce express contracts between nonmarital partners except to the extent the contract is explicitly founded on the consideration of meretricious sexual services, despite contention that such contracts violate public policy; that in the absence of express contract, the court should inquire into the conduct of the parties to determine whether that conduct demonstrates implied contract, agreement of partnership or joint venture, or some other tacit understanding between the parties, and may also employ the doctrine of quantum meruit or equitable remedies such as constructive or resulting trust, when warranted by the facts of the case. Marvin v. Marvin, 557 P.2d 106, 18 Cal.3d 660, 134 Cal.Rptr. 815