Reason 1: Intend to Provide your Partner with Certain Rights. By choosing to cohabitate without marriage, couples are foregoing certain rights and protections provided for them in a marital union. Unmarried couples can generally acquire similar rights of married couples by expressly securing their benefits in a Cohabitation. Examples of rights that can be included are:

• Right to receive a property settlement and/or support in the event of divorce.
• File joint tax returns
• Receive distributions from estates free of estate tax.
• Receive survivor’s benefits from retirement plans and Social Security.
• Obtain “family” health insurance, dental insurance, and other employment benefits.
• Share in his/her partner’s property in the event he/she dies without a will.

• Distribution of property in case of death or break-up.
• Interest in one person’s business.
• Home purchase, payment terms and ownership interest.
• Obligating financial support during the relationship or upon its dissolution.
• Handling the payment of debts in case of death or break-up.
• Dividing the principal residence upon break-up of the relationship.
• Specifying health insurance coverage.

Cohabitants who…

• …do not want to be surprised that their partner has an interest in their previously owned assets.
• …do not want to be obligated for support payments to a parter.
• …believe family law treats unmarried couples unfairly.
• …want to avoid an expensive legal case if their relationship ends.
• …are entering into a second relationship.
• …have estate plans.
• …own a business.
• …own a home
• …have more assets or a higher income than their partners.
• …have significant assets.
• …are economically weaker than their partners and want economic protection upon separation or the death of their partner.
• …have children from a previous relationship.
• …are foregoing a career due to the relationship.