What you need to know about Domestic Partnerships.

Chase Aertker
Sep 4, 2018 · 2 min read

You might have heard of domestic partnerships, but many people don’t know what the phrase actually means. Usually used in reference to same-sex relationships, domestic partnerships give the participants some legal rights similar to what you obtain in a marriage, but they apply to couples who live together but remain unmarried.

Also known as a “civil union”, this arrangement does not provide all of the rights marriage, but it transcends the rights of a normal relationship. Traditionally, domestic partnerships were used by same-sex couples who were legally not allowed to marry. Now that same-sex marriage is legal, the number of domestic partnerships is declining.

The Benefits of a Domestic Partnership:

Many people enter a domestic partnership for the legal rights it gives the participants. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Shared insurance coverage
  • Ability to use family leave for your partner
  • Visitation rights in jails and hospitals
  • Bereavement Leave

In Maryland, domestic partners are allowed to get beneficiary agreements. The cities of Baltimore, Takoma Park, and Montgomery County give benefits to domestic partners.

Since the legalization of gay marriage, some employers are lessening the benefits of domestic partnerships. Make sure to research your state laws and employer benefits to determine if a domestic partnership is a good option for you and your cohabitant.

Declaring Your Domestic Partnership

To register your relationship as a domestic partnership, you must declare it at a courthouse or other applicable government office. Both parties must be over the age of eighteen, unmarried, and must have documentation that they live together. There may be an application fee associated with getting your paperwork processed.

Ending a Domestic Partnership

It is not advisable to enter into a domestic partnership willy nilly. The process of breaking up a declared domestic partnership is similar to legally getting a divorce. You must go through dissolution proceedings.

Domestic partnerships can technically be ended when one party involved tells the other party that they wish to end the relationship, one party dies, one party marries someone outside of the partnership, or when one party moves out. Only one party has to file termination paperwork with the government.

Any arguments over shared assets will complicate the process, however. If disputes occur, time in court might be necessary. If you have any children together, custody will also need to be agreed upon. A family law attorney may be necessary to ensure that your rights are protected, similarly to if you were entering into a divorce.

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