Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples

This guidebook is loaded with useful information and the tools a reader would need to support a successful live-in relationship.The author addresses difficult, but very serious topics that are often overlooked or avoided but should be taken to heart and addressed before-hand. To assist with this the tools needed are all included.I would definitely recommend including this book as part of your estate planning as many of the tools that are included and the topics that are covered address important elements that classic estate planning doesn't take into consideration.A wise investment for your future and that of your family, a must read.

A+

I have relied on NOLO Legal Guides for a wide range of topics, usually related to Real Estate Management, Taxes, Estate Planning, and issues affecting small businesses. This Living Together Legal Guide addresses the practical problems that arise when a couple lives together unmarried and is sensitive to the issues that affect same sex couples and seniors.Special rules governing married couples, such as those relating to property ownership, divorce and inheritance rights, do not apply to unmarried couples. It is important to be aware of the ways that both parties can address this gap as it affects financial issues, parenting issues, estate planning, Medicaid planning, etc.This NOLO guide goes over the different aspects sufficiently to alert one to the issues that arise. It helps give the background and point one to the relevant laws or areas that can be researched or discussed together with or without a lawyer. While some of the information might be widely known, it is helpful in that it presents everything in a structured way with clear examples. It delivers helpful, practical advice without dumbing it down or without touching most important issues.Aside from the advice that it contains, it also offers sample legal agreements and forms downloadable from its website (please consult a lawyer to make sure that the requirements and specifics of state law are complied with) such as but not limited to: Sample Parenting Agreement, Agreement of Joint Intent Not to Have a Common Law Marriage; Agreement to Keep Property Separate; Agreement to Share Property; Agreement for Joint Purchase; Agreement Covering Rented Living Space; Letter Requesting Permission to Add a Roommate; Contract for Equal Ownership of a House; Promissory Note; Contract for Unequal Ownership of a House; Agreement for One Person to Move Into the Other's House and Become an Immediate Co-Owner; Agreement for One Person to Move Into the Other's House and Become a Co-Owner Gradually; Acknowledgement of Parenthood; Short-Term Agreement Regarding Separation and Housing; Agreement to Protect Property During a Breakup; Agreement to Mediate and Arbitrate; Home Buyout Agreement.

Not everyone that's dating and chooses to live together will need this book, but if you're within the book's target demographic (opposite-sex couples that choose to live together long-term/indefinitely without pursuing marriage), you'll definitely be well-served by reading through this and following through on at least some of its recommendations.There's advice here regarding taxes, kids/family, property (including home-ownership), estate planning, and a bunch more. I absolutely love resources from Nolo, which can help people accomplish most important legal tasks without the need for the direct (and expensive) involvement of a lawyer (though the book mentions when this would be helpful).Same sex couples would be better served by the other Nolo books addressing their specific legal issues:  Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions  and/or  Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples, A (Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples) Also, keep in mind that this is currently the latest, 16th edition of this book. While laws do change with some regularity, I would assume that any recent edition of this book would be quite similar, and likely cheaper, if the cost is at all prohibitive. Finding a copy at the local library may be another option.Anyway, this book is worth a read if you're in (or expect to be in) a long-term partnership and want to maintain order and legal propriety while remaining unmarried.

NOLO is famous for publishing books of legal forms with explanatory text. This is a version made for couples. In short, it covers common issues couples may face and then provides the relevant legal forms. A great example is an Agreement to Keep Property Separate, or its counterpart the Agreement to Share Property. Couples need to consider what property legally belongs to whom, and make that clear in case of a breakup or sudden emergency.NOLO is always an excellent resource, and this is no exception. If you're an unmarried couple - particularly in the 20's to 30's age range just starting your life together - this is almost required reading. I always recommend anyone in a committed relationship to check out a big book of NOLO forms, and this is a good starting point if you're in this situation.

This is a great resource for any couple living together (or thinking about it) in lieu of marriage.When most people think of unmarried couples living together, they think of 20- and 30-somethings giving marriage a test drive. But at the other end of the spectrum are older couples and seniors, some with significant assets, who may choose to remain unmarried for estate purposes. This book also addresses that sometimes forgotten demographic.Whether through a break up, sickness or sudden death, there are myriad of legal issues to navigate. As difficult as it may be to confront, it's better to do it now.This legal guide is clearly and concisely written and chapters not relevant to your particular situation are easily skipped.Laws across the country are pretty clear when it comes to married couples but not so if you choose to remain single.It really should be required reading for any unmarried couple.