Addressing the Legal Issues Involved in Cohabitation Without Marriage or Civil Union
With the divorce rate at 50 percent, many couples decide to forego marriage entirely. Termination of an unmarried cohabitation or a same sex relationship that is not a registered "domestic partnership" can bring up issues such as property division, child custody, child support, and parenting time, just as in a traditional divorce.
At the law office of Jensen & Leiberan, we represent heterosexual and same-sex couples in legal issues involved in cohabitation without the legal protections of marriage or a registered "domestic partnership".
No Law to Guide Us
When couples who have not legally formalized their relationship go their separate ways, there is no statutory law that controls division of property. Some judges rely on contract law while others try to treat the situation as it would be treated under Oregon family law statutes. The result is that decisions involving unmarried or unregistered cohabitation vary widely.
To prevent problems down the road, it is wise for couples who choose to cohabitate without benefit of marriage or a registered "domestic partnership" to consult a lawyer and draw up a contract that spells out how they will distribute assets and handle custody and parenting time, should they ever decide to separate.
Establishing Paternity
It is especially important for the fathers of children born out of wedlock to establish legal paternity of their children. Without a determination of paternity, fathers have no legal right to custody or visitation. The mother of your child can take the children, move out of the state or out of the country, and you will have no legal recourse.
Don't Leave It to Chance
For issues involving same-sex or opposite sex cohabitation without marriage or registered "domestic partnership", contact the lawyers of Jensen & Leiberan in Beaverton, Oregon. We are here to help.
