If you are planning to register as domestic partners, have you considered a preregistration agreement? A preregistration agreement will give you the opportunity to discuss issues that will be important to your relationship as it grows so you know what to expect if the relationship ends. Before you register as domestic partners under California law, your long-term relationship can benefit from developing a preregistration agreement. The family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Victoria S. Linder can guide you through the process.
A large part of our family law practice is focused on the legal issues faced by gay and lesbian couples. We can help you understand the laws affecting LGBT domestic partner registration and how they affect you and your partner. Some of the issues to consider include:
Domestic partnership registration: You will find information about domestic partnership registration on the California Secretary of State’s site.
Community property: In a preregistration domestic partnership agreement, you and your partner can decide to opt out of community property or enhance community property by adding in separate property. Whatever you decide, this can be an important discussion of your partnership goals.
Your rights as partners: What does a California domestic partnership mean? The law enacted in 2005 gives same-sex couples almost all of the same rights within the state of California as those of married couples. Be sure that you and your partner know those rights and agree on your rights and obligations to each other as well. Your attorney will be happy to offer legal advice and counsel.
Pre or post-registration agreements: If you have already registered as domestic partners but want to create a domestic partnership agreement, you can. At any point in a relationship, you and your partner can put your rights and obligations in writing.
Child support: Your child support obligations cannot be a part of a domestic partnership agreement. That is determined by law if there is a dissolution of the partnership.