To allow your partner to take care of things for you if you can’t speak for yourself, you must prepare the right legal documents. If you ever become unable to make your own health care decisions or manage your own finances — because of injury, serious illness, or advanced age — you probably want your… Continue Reading
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Can You Claim Your Partner as a Dependent on Your Tax Return?
Family Law Library Topic: Living Together — CohabitationThere are five tests you must meet to claim your partner as a tax dependent. If you financially support your partner (heterosexual or same-sex), you may be able to file a tax return as a single person and claim your partner as a dependent. To be able to do this legally, you must meet the… Continue Reading
Living Together Contracts
Family Law Library Topic: Living Together — CohabitationLearn what a living together contract is and whether or not you need one. A contract is no more than an agreement to do (or not to do) something. Marriage is a contractual relationship, even though the “terms” of the contract are rarely stated explicitly or even known by the marrying couple. Saying “I do”… Continue Reading
Domestic Partnership Benefits
Family Law Library Topic: Living Together — CohabitationLearn about the benefits of domestic partnerships — and whether they may be available to you. Despite the fact that it’s estimated only 10% of American families are made up of a working husband, a stay-at-home wife, and children, our legal and social systems still provide benefits and protections based on that model. Having been… Continue Reading