Pros and Cons of a Domestic Partnership
For couples living together or otherwise in a committed relationship, the idea of getting married can be a touchy topic to bring up. It is not uncommon for people to have passionate and complex feelings about marriage. One person may be in favor of it while the other is more hesitant. Figuring out what the two of you want can be challenging, particularly if you are facing questions or comments about your intentions from family and friends. There are some practical benefits to getting married, but there are also downsides as well. In these conversations, the idea of a domestic partnership is something you may want to consider. The following outlines the pros and cons of this type of legal agreement for couples living in Broward County.
Benefits of a Domestic Partnership In Florida
A domestic partnership is a legal acknowledgement of a committed, domestic relationship between two people. Similar to marriage, it provides certain rights and responsibilities to couples who are currently living together, Unlike marriage, it is easier to enter into and is not nearly as complex in the event you choose to end the relationship.
You can establish a domestic partnership in Broward County simply by filling out the appropriate forms. To be eligible, you must certify that you and the other party are both over 18, not related by blood, and have not been in another domestic partnership for at least thirty days. You will also need to have an established residence within the county and be willing to assume responsibility for each others food, shelter, and other basic costs. The benefits of this type of agreement include:
- You may be able to claim benefits through your partner’s employer provided health plan;
- You have the right to health information about your partner and family visitation privileges with them in the event they are hospitalized in the county;
- You will be considered as next of kin for notification in the event of an emergency;
- You have inheritance rights in the event they pass away and are authorized to make funeral arrangements;
- You have the right to visitation and information about them in the event they are incarcerated in the county jail.
The Downside of Domestic Partnerships
A domestic partnership provides all of the above rights without having to be legally married. To terminate the partnership, you simply file the appropriate forms with the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division. However, there could be issues over property and assets you accumulated during your time together. There are no formal proceedings regarding property division proceedings in domestic partnerships such as there is in a divorce. As a result, you may need to take legal action to claim money or other items which belong to you.
Contact Us Today for Help
At the law office of Vanessa L. Prieto, we can answer your questions about domestic partnership while creating the legal documents needed to protect you in this situation. Call or Contact our Fort Lauderdale domestic partnership attorney online and request a consultation to discuss your options today.
