There was a landmark case in 1977 between Marvin Mitchelson’s client Michelle Triola Marvin and actor Lee Marvin. The case dealt around dividing financial assets and property on the termination or break-up of their live-in relationship. Though unmarried, Michelle used Marvin as her last name. Mitchelson, unsuccessful in his suit is however credited with coming up with the word ‘palimony’ which is a portmanteau of ‘pal’ and ‘alimony’. It has to be noted, palimony is not a legal term and is a matter of contractual dispute.
