How are common-law couples and married couples treated the same/differently?

a. Generally, once a common-law couple has been together for two years, they have equal rights/obligations as a married couple which could include such things as division of family assets and debts and spousal support; however

b. There is a strict time limit to when orders for division of family assets and spousal support can be sought, and that’s two years from the time of separation for unmarried couples, and two years after the divorce for married couples. If you were living common-law, you need make any claim you may have for a division of assets/debts or for spousal support before those two years have lapsed.