Domestic Partnership Agreements

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Howard and Montgomery County Lawyers Helping Clients Create Domestic Partnership Agreements

Working closely with our clients in Columbia, Fulton, Bethesda and Rockville to craft a solution for every type of relationship

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As an institution, marriage has some drawbacks. Despite some mild societal pressure, marriage is no longer mandatory for job promotion or social acceptability. For these and other individual and personal reasons, many couples choose the route of domestic partnerships instead. Historically in the US, domestic partnerships were the sole purview of same-gender couples, but since Obergefell v. Hodges, this is no longer the case. What a domestic partnership agreement brings is a clear understanding of each individual’s rights and responsibilities, financially and otherwise, in the event of the relationship’s ending — not unlike a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement.

The Howard and Montgomery County domestic partnership attorneys at McCabe Russell, PA have built their reputations as tactful negotiators and litigators by offering counsel designed to keep our clients educated and informed about every step in the process of drafting a domestic partnership agreement. We work with you to determine your goals, help you establish your needs and offer you a concrete course towards your ideal outcome. By maintaining multiple offices in Fulton, Columbia, Bethesda and Rockville, we provide many ways and opportunities for you to receive the highest level of service.

Is a Domestic Partnership Right for Me?

Benefits and limitations of a domestic partnership agreement

If a domestic partnership agreement could fulfill every single utility of a pre- or post-nuptial agreement, there would be little need for marriage for any more than symbolic or ceremonial purposes. Though wide reaching, domestic partnership agreements do have some limitations not found in other marriage-specific documents.

In the state of Maryland, domestic partners, and domestic partnerships as a classification, are given a wide array of prerogatives and privileges, including the ability to visit each other in the hospital or share a room in a nursing home, the right to make funeral and burial decisions for each other, and the option to engage in specific types of property transfers without incurring tax penalties. While Maryland does recognize domestic partnerships and grant these advantages, these rights may not transfer if a couple decides to relocate to another state and the rights are not as robust as those stemming from marriage.

It is clear that those inherent rights, while broad, do not encompass all the tasks and utilities of a pre- or post-nuptial agreement, which is where a domestic partnership agreement becomes an appealing and attractive option. This legally binding document, composed with the assistance of a qualified domestic partnership attorney, can address issues such as:

  • Jointly owned property, including real estate
  • The legal and financial obligations of each partner if they decide to separate
  • Whether monthly payments will be made to either partner at separation

Without a domestic partnership agreement, separating partners can encounter many legal questions that may require both parties to hire legal counsel, leading to expensive and protracted litigation.

Our attorneys can help you design an individualized solution that works for you and your domestic partner. Each agreement reflects the specific relationship of each client and considers your individual and joint assets, your family structure, and your short- and long-term family goals.

Types of Cases We Handle

Our attorneys handle a variety of divorce cases, including:

Turn to our firm to craft your domestic partnership agreement in Montgomery and Howard Counties

Commitment in relationships comes in a wide array of forms, including marriage and domestic partnerships. The skilled Howard and Montgomery County domestic partnership lawyers at McCabe Russell, PA are prepared to help you draft the appropriate agreement for your situation and relationship. Please call 443-812-1435 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Fulton, Columbia, Bethesda and Rockville.