How to Create a Domestic Partnership Agreement
A domestic partnership is a personal or legal relationship between two people who are in a domestic life together but are not married or connected in a civil union. In some areas of the world, a domestic partnership is similar to marriage and is used as a substitute for same-sex marriage in areas where that union is not recognized. Some states do not recognize domestic partnerships. If that is the case, it can be in the best interest of a same-sex or simply domestic relationship to create a domestic partnership for legal and employment reasons.
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Instructions
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1
Decide the reasons that you want to enter into a domestic partnership agreement. Many same-sex couples will do this to gain some of the rights that a married couple obtains. Some enter into the agreement because the couple owns property together or requires it for health insurance.
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2
Brainstorm what to include in the agreement. Some examples of areas to concentrate on are property ownership, debts, pets and expenses. These areas are included so as to determine what happens in case the partnership ends. Other areas like household responsibilities and a cooling-off period (after a break-up) are important to include, but they are not legally enforceable.
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3
Design the domestic partnership agreement. Create a statement that leaves blanks for the date of the contract, areas for you and your partner to list your names and for you to sign. Additional statements to include involve both parties being over 18, not married, mentally capable and competent, the date of your partnership's start, that you support and live together, that you intend to remain together and that the person who receives this notice will be notified if there is a change. If you must provide an employer with proof of the partnership for health insurance, go on to step 4. If not, skip to step 5.
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4
Use these statements to create an impersonal but legally sound version of the domestic partnership agreement for your employer if he offers health insurance for domestic partners. This agreement is often required for the employer to be able to provide those benefits to your partner. Sign the agreement and get this agreement signed by a notary before giving it to your employer.
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5
Add the specific agreements for your personal partnership agreement. Decide how property like houses, vehicles and bank accounts will be arranged during the partnership and in case it ends. List which debts and expenses are joint debts and expenses and which are separate from each other. Determine who owns the pets in the household. Add any other provisions you wish and get it signed by a notary. Sign the document yourselves and keep it in a safe place, like a safety-deposit box that you both can access.
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References
- Photo Credit partnership image by Dmitri MIkitenko from Fotolia.com
