San Jose Divorce Lawyer

Pre-Registration Agreements

Any couple considering filing with the domestic partnership registration should consider a pre-registration agreement. Pre-registration agreements are very similar to pre-nuptial agreements for married couples.

Pre-registration agreements give a couple the opportunity to discuss issues that will be important to a relationship as it grows. Due to the rights given to domestic partnership couples in California, there are a number of complex issues that can come up if a couple does not have a pre-registration agreement.

According to a 2005 law, all of the California family law rules apply to domestic partnerships equally with marriages. This means that the community property law applies. A couple that ends its domestic partnership will be subject to the community property laws if the partnership ends.

If an individual brings significant assets into the partnership, he or she might not want to see his or her life assets split up 50/50 at the end of a partnership. The same holds true with the division of property acquired during a partnership.

Pre-registration agreements can also make the dissolution of a partnership much smoother. If there are children involved, a pre-registration agreement that prevents endless squabbling about finances and who gets what assets can make it much easier for a couple to work together, separately, to raise their child or children. This is better for children in the long run and will make life easier for everyone.

Contact a San Jose Family Lawyer

For more information on pre-registration agreements or on creating a pre-registration agreement for your domestic partnership, contact the San Jose family lawyers of the Law Office of Daniel Jensen at 408-296-4100.