Domestic Partnership Lawyers in Gainesville, Florida

Marriage is not the only option when considering making a lifelong commitment to your partner. Domestic partnerships are another form of lifelong commitment and may consist of heterosexual or homosexual couples. These couples live together without being married. Although a domestic partnership is not marriage, it does provide some of the same legal benefits as marriage. In certain circumstances, some of those benefits may include:

• Bereavement leave

• Visiting rights to jails and hospitals

• The right to coverage on a family health insurance policy

• The right to family leave to care for a sick partner

In a domestic partnership, a domestic partnership agreement is essential in identifying each party’s rights and responsibilities. It is comparable to a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement in a marriage. A domestic partnership agreement can settle matters such as whether a couple’s funds will be combined or kept separate and how property will be titled. Having such an agreement is also beneficial because in the event the partnership ends, the agreement will specify the division of assets and liabilities, whether support will be paid to either party, and other issues of importance to the couple. Estate planning may also be integrated into the planning and documentation.

At The Law Office of Knellinger & Associates in Gainesville, Florida, our family law attorneys, Richard Knellinger, and Aaron Blau have experience drafting and negotiating domestic partnership agreements and are knowledgeable about the rights and benefits domestic partners hold. With marriage not being a viable or desirable option for all couples, domestic partnerships can be a source of comfort and security. Our Gainesville attorneys are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our clients and seek to create an agreement that is in their best interests.

Since there is no statewide domestic partnership registration in Florida, cities and counties can pass their own registration requirements. General requirements include being 18 years of age, not being related to your partner, not being a part of a marriage or civil union in Florida or any other state or country, living with your partner in the same home, and agreeing to be financially responsible for each other. The City of Gainesville has had a domestic partner registry since July of 2007 and offers benefits like bereavement and sick leave, health insurance rights and financial securities.