Marriage may not be right for everyone. Some couples choose to live together without the benefit of a legal union, such as marriage. There are legal differences between the two relationships, which include:
· A marriage ends through a legal divorce that can be costly and emotionally draining – A living
together relationship ends upon the agreement of both parties and sometimes can be quite
emotional
· Divorcing spouses must divide their property equally – A living together couple can divide their
property however they want
· A divorce may include spousal support – Couples living together usually do not support each
other when the relationship ends
· When a spouse dies, the other spouse has the legal right to inherit – When a cohabitant dies, his
or her property will pass to whomever is named in a will
If you have questions regarding marriage versus living together and what benefits are arrived in each relationship, contact an experienced Orange County Family Law attorney who can answer your questions and help you decide what is best for you.
