Relationships Information presented by the helpful gang over at personals4all

Things Every Couple Should Know


In my family law practice, one of the most common things I hear over and over from clients who have just had the law explained to them is, "I wish I had known that a long time ago!" Or, "If only I had known that before (whatever) happened."

People entering any form of long-term relationship, whether married, domestic partners, or just living together, are typically unaware that their relationship to each other--and to third parties, like creditors or government agencies--are defined and governed by rules of law, often in ways they did not expect or would not have agreed to had they known. They are not aware of what can happen when events force these rules into play.

Another surprise is that new laws can come along at any time and change your legal relationship in significant ways without you knowing or agreeing to it. And that's nothing compared to what can happen when you move to another state. Rights and duties that you might or might not have been aware of will suddenly become entirely different. Law books are filled with the cases of unhappy people who found out after the fact that things were not as they had thought or wished.

Here are two more things that couples should know. First, couples can make written agreements that change the rules of their relationship to suit their own needs and preferences. And, second, a relationship agreement can be a positive and constructive thing that reinforces your commitment to one another and creates a foundation for working out problems that might arise in the future, possibly saving your relationship.

It is much better if you do not wait in ignorance for some defining event to spring up and force the rules to your attention. I encourage every couple to know where they stand and learn how and to what extent they can tailor their legal relationship to more closely suit their personal wishes.

Above all, I recommend that every couple enter into a basic Couples Contract and give themselves the invaluable advantages that can be had just for spending a little effort to do it.

Your legal relationships have already been defined

If you are in a long-term relationship and do not have an enforceable written agreement, rules of law define and govern the following important features of your relationship:

  • How open and honest you must be with each other
  • Who owns income earned by either of you during the relationship
  • Who can manage the money and assets
  • Who owes debts incurred by either of you before or during the relationship
  • Who owns property acquired during the relationship
  • Who can be covered by health insurance
  • Who can authorize medical or mental health treatment
  • Who can visit in a hospital or jail
  • Who can order care and apply for benefits after disability
  • Who inherits if there is no will
  • Who is included in the retirement plan
  • Who sees to the partner's wishes after death

You have a choice: accept the rules imposed by the law, or tailor the terms of your relationship in a written agreement to better suit your needs and preferences. You can learn more at www.nolocouples.com.

Copyright 2005 Ed Sherman

Ed Sherman is a family law attorney, award-winning author, and founder of Nolo Press. He started the self-help law movement in 1971 when he published the first edition of How to Do Your Own Divorce, and founded the paralegal industry in 1973. In his latest book, featuring the Couples Contract, Ed applies what he has learned from years of experience to help couples protect and preserve their relationship. You can order his books from http://www.nolocouples.com or by calling (800) 464-5502.


MORE RESOURCES:

Gay Matchmaker Responds to eHarmony's Entry Into LGBT Market
MarketWatch - 16 hours ago
"eHarmony has an impressive track record of helping heterosexual couples find meaningful relationships," said Patrick Perrine, the Founder and CEO of the ...


Analysis: It's About Building Relationships
BusinessWeek - 19 hours ago
"With respect to the AXA site, the strategy of providing offerings and services that help the financial institutions develop stronger relationships with ...


Restore peace in relationships
Victoria Advocate, TX - 21 hours ago
A lot of wonderful things can happen when two people come together in a relationship. But it's also true that whenever imperfect human beings start forming ...


Comerica Bank Expands Into Ventura County
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
Our commitment to the city of Westlake Village will allow us to build stronger relationships with local consumers and small businesses in the area, ...


Examiner.com

Relationships in the news: Jennifer Garner fears stalker
Examiner.com - Nov 20, 2008
by Debra Collins, Relationship Examiner Actress Jennifer Garner was granted a three year restraining order today for herself, her husband Ben Affleck, ...


FOXNews

Know which relationships count
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Nov 19, 2008
Good for Tom Friedman, the St. Louis Park kid who grew up to become a topnotch New York Times columnist and author, for paying attention to the relationship ...
Video: New US Administration to clean up the mess RussiaToday
Clinton accepts offer to become secretary of state, sources say Blast
Obama offers old rival a new job CBBC Newsround
Newsday - The Associated Press
all 3,725 news articles


Hamilton coaches go extra mile to help players in program
Arizona Republic, AZ - 3 hours ago
The coaching staff had to call college coaches, establish relationships and take on the work of assembling highlight tapes to be mailed away. ...


Plenty of past relationships in Apple Cup
SportingNews.com - Nov 20, 2008
SEATTLE (AP) -- Cody Bruns used to get grief as a kid growing up in southeastern Washington. Smack in the middle of Cougar country, Bruns would proudly wear ...


BBC News

US vote proves prejudice a going concern
Toronto Star,  Canada - 8 hours ago
Unfettered by institutional restraints, gay relationships were free to seek their own balance. People would pal around with friends, lovers and various ...
Gay rights = human rights Concordian
Letters: Prop. 8 and religious persecution OCRegister
O'Reilly suggested that without Prop 8, "a man can have 27 wives ... Media Matters for America
New University Online - U.S. Daily
all 1,461 news articles


Do you fear for your relationship?
Joy Online, Ghana - 4 hours ago
In a significant proportion of relationships, partners live in pain and almost lifeless relation¬ships. They live in fear instead of love. ...

Relationships - Google News

home | site map
© 2006