Domestic Partnership and Cohabitation Agreement Lawyer in St. Louis, MO

Domestic Partnership and Cohabitation Agreement Overview

Over the past 50 years, the number of opposite sex and same sex domestic partnerships has increased dramatically. Unlike married couples who divorce, Missouri law does not protect the legal rights of cohabitating couples should the relationship come to an end. However, a formal domestic partnership or cohabitation agreement can protect certain property, financial holdings and other rights in a court of law. Also, since Missouri law does not automatically provide legal rights in the event of death during the partnership or relationship, these agreements, often in conjunction with estate planning documents, will provide legal rights and benefits.

At the law firm of Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C., our attorney Bruce Friedman provides legal counsel and representation for traditional and same-sex couples in and around St. Louis who wish to enter into a domestic partnership or cohabitation agreement. Our goal is to make sure both parties understand their rights and obligations with or without a signed contract, and to achieve the goals and objectives of our clients in protecting their income and property from possible claims should the relationship come to an end, and to establish certain rights for the other party in the event of death during the relationship.

We help clients address issues such as property division in the event of a separation and housing rights, including rent payments. While these agreements cannot establish parental custody rights and obligations, they can be used to express the couple’s intentions. As in the case of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, both parties should have their own attorney to ensure that their rights are protected.

Because society does not yet bestow the rights and privileges of marriage on those who cohabit, these agreements can protect and benefit both partners and their respective families. They also help clarify the intent of the relationship, express clear guidelines regarding shared property and establish the goals of the relationship. Having a formal contract is also useful, should the couple move to a state that allows more legal rights for people who live together, particularly if such legal rights exceed the intention of the couple.

Contact Our Firm for Knowledgeable and Personal Service

If you are involved in, or thinking about involvement in, a domestic partnership or cohabitation arrangement, and wish to protect your individual income and assets through a domestic partnership agreement or cohabitation agreement, contact Bruce Friedman today by calling him at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal at 314-480-3479 or toll free at 888-766-9714.

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Other Frequent Case Types

• Custody and Mental Illness/Addiction in St. Louis, MO
• Divorce Mediation in St. Louis, MO
• Employment Based Permanent Resident in St. Louis, MO
• Estate Planning in St. Louis, MO
• Fertility, Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technologies in St. Louis, MO
• Prenuptial Agreement in St. Louis, MO
• Sexual Abuse Allegations in Family Law Matters in St. Louis, MO
• Wills and Trusts in St. Louis, MO

Areas of Practice

• Domestic Partnership and Cohabitation Agreement
• Contracts
• Family Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution