Michelle Triola Marvin | Sued for palimony, 76

Michelle Triola Marvin, 76, who waged a landmark palimony case against former lover and actor Lee Marvin, died yesterday after suffering from lung cancer. She died at the Malibu home of actor Dick Van Dyke, her partner of 30 years.

Ms. Marvin and Lee Marvin, who died in 1987, lived together for six years and she took his last name but never married. The relationship ended in 1970. In 1979, after his support checks stopped, she sued for half of the $3.6 million he had earned during their relationship. She said he had promised her lifetime support.

Attorney Marvin Mitchelson represented her and called the request "palimony," equating it to the alimony of divorcing spouses. A judge rejected the request but granted $104,000 for "rehabilitation." The award was later overturned.

The case spurred similar trials and led to a California law the gave unmarried partners the right to sue for joint property on grounds that their partners had violated a relationship contract. - AP