Common Law Marriage Attorney
More couples are choosing to live together before or instead of getting married. This does not pose a problem until the relationship breaks up and it is not clear what each party’s rights are.
Because unmarried partners do not always receive the same automatic legal protections as married spouses, planning ahead is important should circumstances ever change. Clear conversations about finances, property ownership, and future expectations can reduce uncertainty and help both partners feel more secure while they are building a life together. Proactive documentation can also make it easier to resolve disputes efficiently if a relationship ends. For many couples, taking these steps early is not an indication that they expect the worst. Rather, it is born out of a loving desire to create clarity, protect individual interests, and avoid confusion during a potentially turbulent time.
However, it can be confusing to navigate these nuances of an unmarried partnership without legal assistance. The common law marriage attorney at LaCoste Law has some tips you should know. This advice will help protect both of you now so if you do part ways in the future, there will not be a legal disaster.
Tips to Navigate Laws for Unmarried Couples in Washington State
As an unmarried couple, you face different legal issues if you choose to end your relationship. So, it is important to understand your rights regarding the following:
Expensive Purchases
Always seek legal advice from a common law marriage attorney before making expensive purchases as an unmarried couple. Guidance upfront can clarify ownership, financial responsibility, and what happens to the purchase if the relationship ends.
Cohabitation Agreement
Consider establishing a cohabitation agreement to protect your personal assets if the relationship comes to an end. This agreement should clearly outline property rights, shared expenses, and expectations, and you will formalize the agreement with legal counsel.
Estate Plans
According to cohabitation law in Washington, unmarried couples do not have legal rights to make medical decisions for their partner in an emergency. You also do not have automatic inheritance rights. There are, however, legal steps you can take to ensure that you do.
Thoughtful planning here can be especially helpful if one partner contributes more to a home, household expenses, or other shared investments.
Unmarried Couples Have More Rights Than They Realize
Although unmarried couples do not have all the same protections as married spouses, they may still have important legal rights when finances and property are involved.
- Debts: Typically, you are not responsible for your partner’s debts, including credit cards, mortgages, utility bills, and auto loans. The only exception is if the debt was jointly contracted.
- Commingled Finances: Additionally, you do have legal rights to the property if you used commingled finances to make the purchase.
Even so, many disputes become more difficult when expectations were never clearly discussed at the start of the relationship. When both partners understand how assets, obligations, and contributions may be viewed, they are often in a better position to make informed decisions and protect what matters most to them.
Unmarried Couples with Children in Washington State
Regardless of your marital status, you have a legal responsibility to provide care for your children. More importantly, all matters of custody and child support are determined through the same channels for both married and unmarried couples. At LaCoste Law, our common law marriage attorney has substantial experience representing unmarried fathers’ rights in Washington State.
The only hiccup in child custody and support cases is if your child is not biologically yours and you have not gone through the necessary channels to adopt him or her.
Is There Common-Law Marriage in Washington State?
A common-law marriage is a situation where legally, a couple is considered married because of how long they have cohabited with each other. In Washington State, common-law marriages are not recognized.
However, one law for unmarried couples in Washington State is that the government recognizes committed intimate relationships (CIR) if the unmarried couple meets certain requirements, including:
- Pooling of resources
- The continued period of cohabitation
- Relationship purpose
You do not need to apply to be in a committed intimate relationship in Washington. However, it is a court-recognized status based on the facts of the relationship, so you will need to provide proof of your qualifications. A common law marriage attorney can help you build your case.
Are You Ending a Washington State Committed Intimate Relationship or Unmarried Partnership?
If you cohabitate with someone as an unmarried couple and you believe the relationship may come to an end, do you know what rights you have? Do you feel like you are in a marriage-like relationship? Did you commingle your finances? Did you have a child together? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is in your best interest to consult with a Washington State common law marriage attorney. We represent unmarried couples and people in CIRs in the areas of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, WA.
Whether you are getting into or getting out of an unmarried or committed intimate relationship, please contact us or send us an email at info@lacostefamilylaw.com and allow us the opportunity to help you understand your legal rights.