Domestic Partnership and Co-Habitation Agreements

Our family law attorneys are experienced in the complexities of custody and property division where there is no formal marriage between both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

Domestic Partnership

California recognizes domestic partnerships, which provide many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. Dissolution of a domestic partnership follows similar procedures to divorce.

Co-Habitation Agreements

Unmarried couples living together can benefit from a co-habitation agreement that clarifies:

• Property ownership
• Financial responsibilities
• Support obligations if the relationship ends
• Disposition of jointly acquired property

Palimony and Marvin Actions

The term “palimony” comes from the term “alimony.” In California, a “non-marital partner” cannot collect “spousal support” based on partner status alone, but may be able to collect support from his or her former partner for other reasons under what are known as “Marvin Actions.”

At the Law Offices of Robert A. Goodman, our co-habitation and domestic partnership attorneys can assist you with protecting your rights and interests.