 Since 1 March 2009, some legal differences remain with respect to treatment of couples in a "de facto" relationship and heterosexual couples in a marriage.Differences exist between the rights of a "de facto" couple and a married couple in relation to family law matters, including property settlements and entitlements to spousal maintenance.A "de facto" relationship must have ended for the court to make an order for property settlement or spousal maintenance, though this requirement does not exist for married couples.