More and more couples are choosing to live together in long-term relationships instead of getting married, but the laws have not quite caught up. This means that these couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples in the event of a separation or the death or incapacitation of one party. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your interests, and we can help.
In the case of a couple who choose to live together without getting married, it is important to have a legal agreement over what will happen in the unfortunate event that things don’t work out. This is especially critical when there are children involved. At The Offices of Keane Law, we can help you draft a domestic partnership agreement, which functions as a legal contract between both parties and lays out expectations as far as property division and child support in the event the couple separates.
Domestic partners should also ensure there are advance health care directives set up so that their partners are listed as medical powers of attorney and able to make health care decisions for their partners in the event someone is incapacitated. Under the current laws, domestic partners do not have the same legal rights to these decisions as spouses do, and having an advance health care directive already in place can keep from having to add one more issue on an already stressful situation.
The future is uncertain and being prepared can go a long way toward peace of mind. At The Offices of Keane Law, we have the knowledge and resources you need to ensure your rights are protected should there be any issues in the future.
