Palimony

Palimony is a slang term referring to a court judgment for property or support in a lawsuit between unmarried cohabitants. The term, a portmanteau of pal (see interpersonal relationship) and alimony, was coined by attorney Marvin Mitchelson in 1977 when his client Michelle Marvin (the former Michelle Triola) filed an unsuccessful suit against actor Lee Marvin. Ms. Marvin claimed that the actor, who was still married at the time, had promised to support her for the rest of her life. In legal jargon, a palimony case is sometimes called a "Marvin" case.

Notable cases

• Lee Marvin, as described above.
• Following Rock Hudson's 1985 death from AIDS, his live-in lover, Marc Christian, filed a palimony lawsuit against his estate and won.
• In 1982, famous pianist Liberace was sued for US$113,000,000 in palimony by his live-in boyfriend Scott Thorson (though Liberace denied being homosexual). Most of Thorson's claim was dismissed, but he did receive a settlement of US$95,000.
• Brian Orser, homosexual Canadian figure skater
• In 1996, Van Cliburn was sued by his former assistant, Thomas Zaremba, for a share of his wealth following a 17-year relationship during which Zaremba helped maintain Cliburn's household. Dismissed for lack of written agreement. Zaremba also accused Cliburn in the suit of subjecting him to the fear of AIDS through Cliburn's alleged unprotected liasons with third parties. The emotional distress claim was also dismissed. http://www.glbtq.com/arts/cliburn_v,2.html http://www.aegis.com/aidsline/1997/dec/M97C1497.html
• In 2004, Bill Maher was sued for 9 million dollars by his ex-girlfriend, Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen", for palimony.