Marriage, Cohabitation Agreements, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Protecting your financial and personal interests before or during a relationship helps prevent future disputes and provides peace of mind. Agreements made in advance or during marriage outline clear expectations about property, finances, and responsibilities, ensuring fairness for both partners.
Key benefits of these agreements:
- Define how property, assets, and debts will be managed or divided
- Clarify financial responsibilities and support arrangements
- Protect business interests, inheritances, and family assets
- Reduce conflict in the event of separation, divorce, or death
- Provide transparency and trust between partners
Types of agreements:
- Cohabitation Agreements: For unmarried partners outlining financial and property terms
- Prenuptial Agreements: Created before marriage to establish financial boundaries and asset protection
- Postnuptial Agreements: Made after marriage to update or define property and support arrangements
Clear, customized agreements help couples plan for the future while preserving harmony and financial security.
Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions
Domestic partnerships and civil unions provide many of the same legal protections and responsibilities as marriage, offering couples a formal way to recognize their relationship under California law. These legal arrangements can define rights related to property, healthcare, and inheritance, giving couples peace of mind and legal clarity.
Understanding your legal rights and protections:
- Shared property ownership and inheritance rights
- Access to healthcare decisions and hospital visitation
- Eligibility for family health benefits and tax considerations
- Legal protections in cases of separation or dissolution
- Parental rights and responsibilities for children within the partnership
Establishing or ending a partnership:
- Registration with the state or local government is required to make it legally valid
- Documentation and agreements can help define financial and personal boundaries
- Dissolution follows a process similar to divorce, addressing property, support, and custody issues
Domestic partnerships and civil unions are an important way for couples to protect their relationship legally and ensure equal recognition under the law.