Same Sex / Cohabitation / Meretricious Relations / Couple’s Contracts

“Same sex couples or any couple living together.”

It is very important for anyone in a committed same-sex relationship to be proactive and take the necessary steps to ensure their rights are protected.

We can help you draft legal agreements that can encompass all facets of the relationship, including: major purchases, retirement, healthcare and medical decisions, wills and trusts, parenting, life insurance and any other issues that may arise.

Today, millions of unmarried couples live together. These relationships are extremely common; however this does not mean that you should ignore how the law affects your relationship. Our attorneys have experience in helping couples develop Couple’s Contracts that work to avoid emotionally and financially draining legal disputes that can result at the end of relationships.

A Couple’s Contract isn’t a foreshadowing of a split, but, in fact, it is just the opposite. Developing a Couple’s Contract is a practical and responsible step for couples to take to ensure that decisions regarding property, pets, family, etc. are decided on good terms when all parties are agreeable and thinking logically. Developing a Couple’s Contract now is an affordable and practical way to safeguard yourself from a long legal battle in the future.

The term “meretricious relationship” is a term of art in Washington, and has been defined as “a stable, marital-like relationship” where both parties cohabit with knowledge that a lawful marriage between them does not exist. Washington does not have common-law marriage but a meretricious relationship is similar. Washington Courts will apply some of the dissolution of marriage principles regarding property division.

At Harrington Law Office, PLLC, we are at the forefront of assisting same-sex partners and unmarried couples throughout Washington, and have represented clients in all stages of life. We have also represented gay and lesbian clients in matters involving child custody and visitation, adoption, estate planning and more.