Domestic Partnership

Fewer Americans are getting married, and many are marrying later in life. Despite this growing trend to forgo marriage, not all states recognize domestic partnerships. While domestic partnerships were originally a popular alternative to marriage when same-sex couples were not allowed to wed, the legalization of same-sex marriage has made this option less popular across the board. Some couples in California still enter into domestic partnerships, and if you are considering this as an alternative to marriage, it’s important to understand what it means. What are domestic partnerships, and what…

While the gay community had lobbied for and celebrated the 2005 domestic partnership legal changes, many seniors did not share their enthusiasm. The two demographics had different goals when selecting domestic partnerships, and changes that served the gay community's goals did not serve seniors. As a result of the 2005 amendments, seniors were saddled with— Community property rights Mutual responsibility for debts to third parties Rights to seek financial support from the other partner when dissolving the partnership Rights and duties concerning ownership of property In function, their domestic partnership…

The California Family Code defines domestic partnership as two adults who have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring. A California domestic partnership in California applies to two different demographics: Couples of the same sex Seniors over the age of 62 In 1999, when the California legislature passed its statutes pertaining to domestic partnership, it resolved problems for both of these demographics. The gay-lesbian element wanted married couples’ rights, and while not eligible for marriage under the existing law, they could declare…