Couples across all parts of the lifespan are looking beyond the traditional, societal expectation of marriage as the ultimate designator of a “committed relationship.”
You can select from many options to signify your commitment: use traditional designations in your own way (ie stay engaged indefinitely), live together or apart, or create your own designation. As a couple, you can be in a queer platonic relationship, homeowners, in a primary relationship, or platonic life partners.
Two legal options—one traditional and one newer—are marriage and domestic partnership. How do they differ?
Marriage is a legally binding agreement between two consenting adults defined and validated by the state they are married in and recognized by the federal government. It provides for property and inheritance rights, tax and social security benefits, parental rights and responsibilities, and spousal support obligations. Obligations can be altered with a pre- or post-nuptial agreement.
Domestic Partnership is a state-recognized, legal agreement that enables a couple certain benefits without requiring financial commitments. The couple must be at least 18 years of age, not be partnered with anyone else, share some joint financial responsibility, not be related, and live together—states vary on length of time— enabling the couple to receive benefits defined by the state without the partnership being recognized by the Federal Government’s Social Security and IRS Departments.
However, not all states have domestic partnerships or have legal ways to recognize relationships outside of marriage. To protect themselves, couples can create cohabitation agreements, which are like prenuptial agreements to protect each of their interests over time. Things change if a couple shares a child. The courts are required to determine what is in the child’s best interest, so custody and child support would be considered and awarded with or without a formal agreement.
According to National Center for Family & Marriage Research, the number of unmarried partners has increased from 6 million in 1996 to 20.1 million in 2022 with the largest demographic in the 30-to-39-year range (26%). While domestic partnerships is still a small portion of total cohabitation, it is gaining interest as a step to offer couples company benefits like health insurance coverage.
While society may not recognize it with the same significance as marriage, domestic partnership is being viewed as a meaningful step and often celebrated like a marriage. Like buying a house together, people are celebrating it as a meaningful transition.
At Our Healing Therapy, we will work with you and your partner to find a next step in your relationship and clarify your long-term vision. Contact us today.
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