Jeanette Holmes sued Maimonides Medical Center for loss of consortium--the "benefits" of marriage--when her husband, William Cruz, died after undergoing surgery.
Interestingly, because Holmes and Cruz weren't married until after the procedure, the Kings County Supreme Court threw the case out.
And on appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, rejected the lady's argument that the couple had previously "held themselves out as husband and wife," because New York doesn't acknowledge a common-law marriage, unless a "sister State" has recognized the relationship.
Some honeymoon.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Holmes v. Maimonides Met. Ctr.