Cohabitation Agreements |

Cohabitation Agreements

Protect Yourself With a Cohabitation Agreement

Are thinking about moving in with someone? Is a cohabitation agreement necessary? It depends. How much money are you willing to risk? Will your partner hire me?

I am palimony attorney Cary W. Goldstein of Beverly Hills. Since I worked with the late Marvin Mitchelson who represented Michele Marvin Triola in the landmark Marvin vs. Marvin case, I have seen California palimony laws change significantly. Individuals with significant financial assets put a tremendous amount at risk when they move in with someone.

Without legal marriage, California courts don’t recognize individual assets as community in a cohabitation arrangement. In fact, palimony cases are treated as breach of contract rather than family law cases and in theory, because they do not distinguish between separate and community property, may put more at risk than in a divorce. The courts often interpret implied agreements as a legally binding contract. If it looks like a marriage, and the parties take on roles of spouses, the court may decide that financial assets should be shared.

What can a cohabitation agreement do for you?

Designate specific assets as individual property
Designate what property will be considered community property
Assign specific responsibilities and roles in the relationship
Establish roles for parenting responsibility and child custody
Legally acknowledge that a formal cohabitation relationship exists

I’ve see it happen too many times. Without a co-habitation agreement, a good attorney can prosecute a case that will require you to fight a long, expensive legal battle to protect your financial interests even if the case has no merit. The hope is that, rather than fight, you will “just roll” over and settle. Effectively handled, the nefarious plan can be thwarted by a properly orchestrated showing of defiance and resolution.

Get the Facts Before You Make the Decision

Before you enter into a living arrangement, talk to me about some things you need to know before moving in with someone. I am a nationally recognized authority in areas relating to palimony law, non-marital cohabitation and property division for high net worth individuals. I will help you protect your financial interests.

The National Media Trusts My Credentials. You Can, Too.

Since 1992 I have been working exclusively in the field of domestic relations law, including palimony, same sex cohabitation and divorce for individuals of high net worth in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. I have been listed in Southern California Super Lawyers from 2004 through 20011 and was rated among the top 5% of Southern California practicing attorneys in an extensive peer review conducted by Law & Politics Magazine.

I have numerous appearances on “The Today” Show, “Larry King Live,” “Good Morning America,” “Celebrity Justice,” “Extra,” “True TV”, CNN and Fox TV among others. I have also been quoted in The Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Contact me today. I represent clients on both sides of palimony and cohabitation issues.

Cary W. Goldstein Law Offices provides legal advice and representation for residents of Beverly Hills, CA, and communities throughout the Los Angeles metro region, including Hollywood , Santa Monica, Bel Air, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Palos Verdes, Brentwood and other communities around Los Angeles County, California.