Blog

Canterbury Law Group is available to help you to resolve your legal matters.
Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation in person or by phone.

Canterbury Law Group | Current Blog Postings

2024
1st Oct 2024

Parenting Agreements

30th Sep 2024

How To Get Visitation

30th Sep 2024

Equal Shared Parenting

10th Jun 2024

Proof Of Custody

3rd Jun 2024

Low Cost Bankruptcy

3rd Jun 2024

Guardian Ad Litem

3rd Jun 2024

Bankruptcy Costs 2024

3rd May 2024

Virtual Visitation

3rd May 2024

Paternity Law

18th Mar 2024

Split Custody Defined

1st Mar 2024

Restraining Order Cost

11th Jan 2024

Annulment Cost

2023
16th Oct 2023

Types Of Bankruptcy

19th Sep 2023

Supervised Visitation

21st Aug 2023

Bankruptcy Exemptions:

25th Jul 2023

What Is A Secured Debt?

18th Jul 2023

Physical Custody

30th Jun 2023

Sole Custody

30th Jun 2023

Joint Custody

12th Jun 2023

Domestic Partnerships

Not every happy, committed couple chooses to get married. For their own reasons, some couples choose to cohabitate. Some couples may legally formalize their relationship to receive some of the benefits married couples enjoy. They may file for a domestic partnership or a civil union. In some states, however, there is no alternative legally recognized relationship. But any unmarried couple can create a cohabitation agreement on their own. This is essentially just a contract between two parties.

A cohabitation agreement clarifies the rights and responsibilities of each person in the relationship. It documents how finances, assets, and debts will be handled during the relationship. And depending on what the couple wishes to include in the document, it can do more.

FindLaw's Domestic Partnerships section provides information about these alternatives to marriage. Review the links below to learn about the benefits of domestic partnership and civil union, state laws, and how to start and end a relationship.

What Is a Domestic Partnership?


A domestic partnership is a legally recognized form of a committed relationship. Not all states recognize domestic partnerships within a legal context. The details of domestic partnerships may differ by state and municipality.

According to the National Conferences of State Legislatures, these states recognize domestic partnerships:

  • California

  • District of Columbia

  • Hawaii (allows for reciprocal beneficiaries)

  • Maine

  • Nevada

  • Oregon

  • Washington

  • Wisconsin


Some municipalities recognize domestic partnerships even though their state does not. Individual businesses may recognize domestic partnerships for purposes of employee benefits, even if the states in which they operate does not.

Domestic partnerships became particularly significant during the push for same-sex marriage rights. Many states and cities offered domestic partnerships when same-sex marriages weren't yet legal. To make it official, partners need to file a Domestic Partnership Agreement. They usually must pay a filing fee to the local government.

What Is a Civil Union?


Civil unions extended some of the legal rights of marriage to same-sex couples. Since the legalization of gay marriage by the Supreme Court in 2015, civil unions have waned in popularity. Only Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, and Vermont still recognize civil unions. The federal government does not consider civil unions to be the legal equivalent of marriage.

Why Domestic Partnership Instead of Marriage?


Why would a couple choose a domestic partnership instead of just getting married? Most likely, there are personal reasons for avoiding marriage. They may feel there are too many societal or family obligations that come with marriage. They may have been part of a nasty divorce and are now shy of repeating a past mistake. Domestic partnerships are easier to end.

There can also be financial benefits to avoiding marriage. Couples where both partners are high earners can avoid the “marriage penalty" when it comes to taxes. A cohabiting partner receiving alimony may continue to receive alimony. This varies by state, however, and is an evolving area of law.

The Benefits of Domestic Partnerships


A domestic partnership provides the two parties with some of the legal benefits of marriage. But just as recognition of domestic partnerships varies by state, so do the benefits. One of the main reasons to enter a domestic partnership is to access domestic partnership benefits. This could include health and life insurance benefits, death benefits, and rights to family leave when a partner is ill.

Domestic partners may be eligible for these benefits:

  • Coverage by a partner's work-provided healthcare or insurance benefits plan

  • Eligibility for family sick leave and bereavement leave if one's partner gets sick or dies

  • Tax benefits from filing taxes as a single filer, which typically has a lower tax bracket

  • Rights to the inheritance of a domestic partner, which some states recognize but others do not (see the Social Security website for information on non-marital legal relationships)

  • The allowance of domestic partners' hospital and jail visitation rights, as recognized by some states

  • The allowance of domestic partners to make financial and medical decisions on a partner's behalf, as recognized by some states


The Downside of Domestic Partnership


There are some significant downsides to domestic partnership status compared to traditional marriage. Domestic partnerships are not uniformly recognized by the federal government or its agencies (like Social Security or the IRS). They are also not recognized by insurance companies in the same way or by all foreign governments. Additionally:

  • You cannot file your taxes jointly.

  • Your partner cannot receive your Social Security benefits after you die.

  • You may not automatically inherit from your partner. If you are named in a will and inherit, you may pay inheritance tax.

  • If an employer extends health insurance benefits to a non-employee partner, the value of that benefit is taxable income. There may also be different limits on coverage.

  • A domestic partner may not have the same rights of access, information, and medical decision-making that a spouse would have.


To understand the financial and tax implications of a domestic partnership, talk to a tax attorney.

Termination of domestic partnerships is similarly easy. One partner typically files a form with the Secretary of State or the county or city clerk. Assets in the marriage do not become community property. They remain individual assets. If both parties paid for an asset, they may work through an attorney or mediator on property division.

If there are children from the relationship, a child custody and parenting time agreement need to be negotiated. You will also need to get a child custody court order approved by a family court judge. The court might also order child support.

Hiring a Family Law Attorney


Understanding the legal and financial issues surrounding domestic partnerships can be challenging. An experienced family law attorney can provide information about domestic partnership laws in your state. They can also draft a cohabitation agreement or assist with property division and child custody. Attorneys can provide you with valuable legal advice.
15th May 2023

Medical Bankruptcies

18th Apr 2023

Domestic Violence

11th Apr 2023

Establishing Paternity And Father’s Rights

When a child is born to a married couple, a legal presumption arises that the husband is the child’s father. This isn’t the case with unmarried couples. Establishing paternity is important for unmarried couples in the event they break up and one parent seeks custody or child support for inheritance purposes or a variety of […]
10th Mar 2023

Married Debt

10th Mar 2023

Establishing Paternity and FAQ

When a child is born to a married couple, a legal presumption arises that the husband is the child’s father. This isn’t the case with unmarried couples. Establishing paternity is important for unmarried couples in the event they break up and one parent seeks custody or child support for inheritance purposes or a variety of […]
27th Feb 2023

Paternity Blood Tests and DNA

When a child is born to a married couple, a legal presumption arises that the husband is the child’s father. This isn’t the case with unmarried couples. Establishing paternity is important for unmarried couples in the event they break up and one parent seeks custody or child support for inheritance purposes or a variety of […]
20th Feb 2023

Establishing Paternity

When a child is born to a married couple, a legal presumption arises that the husband is the child’s father. This isn’t the case with unmarried couples. Establishing paternity is important for unmarried couples in the event they break up and one parent seeks custody or child support for inheritance purposes or a variety of […]
8th Jan 2023

Judgment of Divorce

8th Jan 2023

What Is Divorce Good For

Most people who are thinking about getting a divorce are aware of what to expect. They have seen divorces in the movies and frequently have at least a few personal acquaintances who have gone through divorce. Even with this “second-hand” knowledge, going through your own divorce is one of the scariest things you can do […]
2022
31st Dec 2022

Voluntary Manslaughter

31st Dec 2022

Involuntary Manslaughter

12th Dec 2022

First Degree Murder

29th Sep 2022

Military Divorce

While military divorces are not more complicated than civilian divorces, there are particular divorce procedures and requirements that apply to U.S. service members and their spouses. These differences may pertain to support payment compliance, service of process, residency or filing requirements, or the distribution of military pensions. The following is an outline of the laws […]
31st Aug 2022

Voluntary Manslaughter

31st Aug 2022

Divorce And Business Ownership

Eric and Ariel reached the terrible choice to divorce after 19 years of marriage. Ariel’s profession of collecting and selling various collectibles began before their marriage. However, now that she is getting a divorce, she is concerned about the future of her business. Will it be divided between her and Eric, or does she retain […]
31st Aug 2022

Credit and Divorce

8th Aug 2022

Involuntary Bankruptcy

29th Jun 2022

Divorce Timeline

22nd Jun 2022

Inheritance and Divorce

Learn whether a court can divide your inheritance in a divorce. Not necessarily. For purpose of divorce, the law usually categorizes property as either “marital” or “separate.” As a general rule, marital property is subject to division between the spouses; separate property isn’t. This is true whether you live in a “community property” state (like […]
7th Jun 2022

Expungement Basics

9th May 2022

Community Property

20th Apr 2022

Annulment Vs Divorce

4th Apr 2022

Annulment in Arizona

30th Mar 2022

Different Types of Separation

What does the term “separated” mean? Discover the distinctions between trial separation, permanent separation, and legal separation. When it comes to marriage, separation is not synonymous with divorce—even if you have a court-ordered “judgment of separation.” Separation is when you live apart from your spouse but remain legally married until you obtain a divorce judgment. […]
9th Mar 2022

Arizona Heroin Laws

9th Mar 2022

Medical Marijuana Laws

25th Jan 2022

Top Reasons for Divorce

2021
13th Dec 2021

Drug Possession Defenses

13th Dec 2021

Right To Counsel

22nd Nov 2021

Types of Drug Charges

26th Oct 2021

Drug Cultivation Lawyers

18th Oct 2021

Sneaky Divorce Tactics

12th Oct 2021

Divorce With Kids

23rd Aug 2021

How To Divorce Your Wife

28th Jul 2021

Considering Bankruptcy

28th Jul 2021

Stages Of Divorce

14th Jul 2021

Plea Bargains

27th Apr 2021

Purpose of a Prenup

27th Apr 2021

What Does a Prenup Do?

7th Apr 2021

Hire a Prenup Lawyer

25th Mar 2021

Rent and Bankruptcy

25th Mar 2021

How do I get a prenup?

17th Mar 2021

Subchapter 5 Bankruptcy

2020
30th Nov 2020

What Is Felony Murder

23rd Nov 2020

What Is A Felony?

10th Nov 2020

Class 6 Felony Arizona

28th Sep 2020

Drug Crime Laws

10th Sep 2020

Is Chapter 13 Worth It?

18th Aug 2020

When To Declare Bankrupt

3rd Aug 2020

What Is Divorce?

14th Apr 2020

What is a Family Lawyer?

24th Mar 2020

What Is Bankruptcy?

20th Mar 2020

Will I Get a $1,000 Check from the Coronavirus Stimulus Package?

Government Stimulus Check Coronavirus

Will I get money from the Coronavirus Bail-Out/Stimulus Bill? Right now, Democrats and Republicans are battling over the specific provisions of the Coronavirus Stimulus Plan.  President Trump proposed a plan that would provide $250 Billion in Direct Payments to Americans.  The debate centers on the timing of payments and whether the payments should be a set amount or be flexible based on circumstances.

Government Stimulus Check Requirements


To complicate things further Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for modifications that would provide for payments of $2,000 per month to every American over 18.  While it is doubtful that Sanders’ proposed changes will be adopted, as the Bill stands right now, you would receive:

  • $1,200 if you are single and made no more than $75,000 as shown on your 2018 Federal Tax Return;

  • $2,400 per couple if you and your spouse filed as “Married Filing Jointly” and your combined income as shown on your 2018 Tax Return was no more than $150,000.


These payments reduce to zero as your reported income goes to $99,000 individually or $198,000 per couple.  Additionally, eligible families with children will receive $500 per child.  These payments are part of a bailout that also includes:

  • $50 Billion to Bail-Out the Airline Industry;

  • $150 Billion for other affected industries; and

  • Provisions for payments to Small Businesses.


Make Sure You Get Your Government Stimulus Check


This Bill is evolving and can change.  Contact the Business Lawyers at Canterbury Law Group so we can help you get all the help you are entitled to under this and any subsequent Coronavirus relief.
13th Jan 2020

10 Reasons For Divorce

2019
30th Dec 2019

When To Get A Divorce

8th Oct 2019

Child Abandonment

26th Aug 2019

What Is A Fair Prenup?

26th Aug 2019

Should I Get A Prenup?

1st Jul 2019

Divorce Checklist

16th May 2019

Types Of Bankruptcy

16th May 2019

How Bankruptcies Work

22nd Apr 2019

How to Win Child Custody

15th Apr 2019

What Is Family Law?

2018
28th Jul 2018

What You Need to Know About Prenups and Postnups

When it comes to dealing with marital finances, people generally think about two types of spousal contracts: a prenuptial agreement entered into before a marriage and a postnuptial agreement entered into after a marriage. Sure, most readers have at least heard of a prenuptial (also known as a “prenup” or an antenuptial agreement). Prenups are […]
2017
4th Dec 2017

Pet Custody in Arizona

1st Aug 2017

What is the Difference between Divorce and Legal Separation in Arizona?

In Arizona, there are two ways to formally and legally remove your estate from your spouse: divorce and legal separation. It’s important to understand that these are two different processes. Legal separation is not another term for divorce. While there are certain overlapping legal similarities between the two, it’s important to understand that these are […]
2016
13th Apr 2016

Prenups in Scottsdale

24th Feb 2016

Legal Trends in Divorce

2015
13th Jun 2015

Scottsdale Family Law

Contact us today to schedule your initial case review. We’re here to help!