CHAPTER FOUR

Living Together

Carol and Ray have been together for nine months and view themselves as having a committed relationship. They plan to rent an apartment together and share other common expenses. Each of them would like to name the other to make health care decisions in the event that one of them becomes incapacitated. What steps should they take to accomplish these goals?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2003, there were 4.6 million households consisting of an unmarried man and an unmarried woman living together. In addition--using the terminology of the Census Bureau--there were 333,000 “unmarried-partner households” consisting of two male partners and 326,000 “unmarried-partner households” consisting of two female partners. By comparison, there were 58.6 million households with wives and husbands living together. The Census Bureau noted that the number of households with unmarried partners may actually be more because some people may be reluctant to call themselves “partners” on the Census forms.

• Legality of Living Together
• Agreements to Share Expenses or Property
• To Sue or Not to Sue
• A Promise of “I’ll Take Care of You”
• Example Agreements to Live Together
• Health Care Power of Attorney
• Wills
• Engagement Rings