Serving Lake County · McHenry County · Cook County · Kane County · DuPage County Area Residents
Times are changing, and more and more couples are choosing to live together and share their lives without the binding commitment of marriage or civil union status. Despite the changing times, however, the law offers little help to couples who do not enter into these formal relationships.
Illinois law simply does not afford unmarried couples the same rights as married or civil union couples, no matter how long you have lived together. For this reason, it makes sense to enter into agreements on important matters concerning your relationship.
I am a Barrington attorney with more than 35 years of legal experience. I have helped many non-married couples establish agreements regarding how their relationships — and any potential breakups — will be handled.
A Lawyer Helping Clients Set Their Own Terms for Their Relationships
In Illinois, marriages and civil unions are structured relationships, containing a bundle of rights, responsibilities and benefits. A domestic partnership agreement or cohabitation agreement, on the other hand, is a private contract making custom arrangements for issues such as the following:
- Shared property and assets.
- Payment of expenses and debts
- Child rearing responsibilities.
- Insurance.
- Guidelines and procedures for ending the relationship.
These agreements can be used for both opposite-sex and same-sex partnerships. If you and your life partner do not want the formality of a marriage or a civil union but still want certain legal protections, a domestic partnership or cohabitation agreement may be the right option.
Contact an Experienced Illinois Cohabitation Agreement Attorney
I understand that a family can be something other than what society has traditionally determined, and I am committed to helping my clients enter into agreements that will make their relationships stronger, prepare them for the future and secure their individual rights.
To discuss how I can help you with the preparation, review or negotiation of a domestic partnership or cohabitation agreement — or with the dissolution of a non-married relationship — please contact my firm, Law Offices of Alexandra M. Goddard, at 847.382.3995 or by e-mail to schedule a consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
