The Benefits Of Domestic Partnership

Domestic partnerships became legal in the 1980s as a result of same-sex couples demanding legal partnerships. Ever since states have begun allowing same-sex couples to marry, partnerships have become less sought after, but are still beneficial. These partnerships are especially beneficial for cohabitating partners who don’t want to get married, but still want to obtain the benefits associated with marriage. Some of the benefits couples that enter into domestic partnerships receive include the following:

• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Parental rights
• Death benefits
• Tax treatment
• Family and sick leave

There are a host of questions that must be answered when a couple files for a domestic partnership. Those questions include the following:

• How can the partnership come to an end?
• Are there qualifications that must be met for the partnership?
• Is there a time limit couples must be together prior to filing?
• If marriage is available to the couple can partnership still be filed?
• Is there a time limit couples must live together prior to filing?
• Does the creation of a partnership violate any existing laws at the state level?
• Will the individuals in the partnership be financially responsible for each other?
• How will the employers of the couple treat the partnership?

Possibly one of the biggest advantages of a domestic partnership is that it is very easy to end compared to a marriage. There are little strings attached to a partnership, unless the people involved opt to enter into specific agreements. For the most part, couples involved in a domestic partnership can easily find their way out of it if they so choose without much to do. A domestic partnership is a legal option for cohabitating individuals in the state of Maryland. An experienced family law attorney will be able to answer all of your questions surrounding such an agreement.