Living Together

Living Together and the Law

Here's are stats on unmarried couples living together and an overview of the legal issues that affect them.

Sex and the Law

Overview of legal restrictions on consensual adult sexual activity

Domestic Partnerships

Domestic partnership is offered as an alternative to marriage in only a few states. Learn where you can enter into a domestic partnership, as well as why it might be the right arrangement for you and your significant other.

Which States Recognize Common Law Marriage?

Judges will consider many different aspects of your relationship when deciding whether you have a common law marriage. Learn how these informal marriages work, where and when they're legal, and how to prove or disprove that you're in a common law marriage.

Same-Sex Common Law Marriage and Social Security Dependents & Survivor Benefits

Learn how gay couples in valid common law marriages may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on their partners’ earnings.

Living Together and Property Agreements

Learn what cohabitation agreements are, who needs one, the legal requirements for an enforceable cohabitation contract, and what it should include.

Special Legal Issues for Unmarried Seniors Who Live Together

Here's why living together agreements are especially important for the growing number of unmarried older couples who live together.

How to Establish Paternity

Here's an overview of common parentage issues that arise when parents are not married, including how to legally establish paternity, how to name your child, and what to do if the father didn't sign the birth certificate papers.

Legitimacy of Children Born to Unmarried Parents

Here's a summary of the various ways states have addressed legal standards of proof of paternity.

Unmarried Couples and Adoption

All states allow married couples to adopt jointly. But what happens when an unmarried couple wants to adopt a child?

Inheritance and Other Legal Rights of Children of Unmarried Parents

Here's a summary of the rights of children of unmarried parents to inherit money and receive benefits available to children of married parents.

How Living Together Affects Custody of Children From a Prior Marriage

Here's how living with an unmarried partner affects child custody decisions.

How Living Together Affects Child Support Payments

No matter what their marital status—divorced, separated, or never married—parents have an obligation to support their kids. But does a parent’s living arrangement affect child support? That depends.

How Living Together Affects Current Alimony Payments

Whether you agreed to alimony with your ex-partner or the court decided for you, your actions may impact future payments.

Parenting for Unmarried Couples FAQ

It's becoming more common for couples to live together without taking the plunge into marriage. But what happens if you want to raise children together? Before you decide to adopt or raise children, have you considered how your marital status will affect your rights?

Child Custody, Visitation, and Support Issues When an Unmarried Couple Separates

How to deal with custody, support, and other parenting issues when you and your unmarried partner end your relationship.

How do we end a common law marriage?

If you want to end your common law marriage, the process may be more complicated than you think.

Can I sue my ex-boyfriend for unwritten loans?

Am I legally entitled to any housing compensation or money for the loan, even though there was no written contract for either one?