In modern society, it is common for unmarried couples to live together without being married. When an unmarried cohabiting couple separates, however, the rights to equitable distribution and alimony does not exist. No matter how long an unmarried couple has lived together, they do not have the legal rights and protection that divorcing couples enjoy. Cohabitating, unmarried couples also do not enjoy the rights and protections that married couples having during their marriage, such as filing joint tax returns; receiving distributions from estates free of estate tax; receiving survivor’s benefits from retirement plans and Social Security; obtaining “family” health insurance, dental insurance, and other employment benefits; and automatically sharing in his/her partner’s property in the event he or she dies without a will. Continue reading ›
Articles Tagged with agreement
Not So Fast: The Obituary of Palimony’s Demise May Be Premature
Only several months ago I wrote a blog discussing the then state-of-the-law in New Jersey in regards to palimony and the ability of unmarried cohabitants to enforce unwritten promises of support. Continue reading ›