Legal Rights of Unmarried Couples Living Together

By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq.

mediator divorce orange county; California Divorce MediatorsMore and more couples are living together in long term committed relationships without getting married. Such partnerships or relationships fall under the category of cohabitation. The legal rights of unmarried couples living together are very different from those of married couples.

Given below are the rights of cohabiting couples:

Rules related to finances

In the eyes of the law, two unmarried people are two separate individuals. So bank accounts, savings, and investments will not be jointly owned. It would remain in the ownership of the named individual. Anything held jointly will be divided equally unless there is a legally recognized agreement signed by the couple.

Unlike spousal maintenance, the partners are not entitled to any kind of financial support. But if there is a child from this relationship, the partner is entitled to child support.

Rules related to child issues

If unmarried couples living together separate, there will be different laws for the custody of the children resulting from this cohabitation. Both parents have equal rights over their children. But it needs to be decided who the children are going to stay with and what the visitation rights would be.

The unmarried couple may voluntarily sign a written agreement or notarized separation agreement stating the rights regarding the custody of the children, visitation and other rights. The agreement will then become the basis of all decisions made regarding the custody of children.

Rules related to property

If an unmarried couple owns a house together, the property will get divided equally between the two partners on separation. One person usually buys out the other’s share of the property. If there is an outstanding mortgage, the partner pays for that too. If this is not possible, the property is sold and then the share of each person is calculated.

If the property is in the name of an individual, the person in whose name the property is retains full ownership. A complication may arise if the person who is not a registered owner has made financial contributions towards the property. If that partner has made payments towards the mortgage, paid for repairs and other improvements, that partner can claim part ownership in the property. You will then have to approach a court of law.

To learn more about the divorce process in California and how mediation can help, please visit our page, What is Divorce Mediation