The term domestic partnerships have become extremely popular of late. Some states granted it legal status ahead of same-sex marriages. Hence, if you are emotionally involved with someone you could consider a domestic partnership relationship. However, before anything else, you would perhaps desire to know the difference between domestic partnership vs marriage.
What precisely is a domestic partnership?
Before you understand the difference between domestic partnership vs marriage, it is essential to know the definition of the term. It can be referred to as live together relationship, but it is committed. The couples can live together, share bank accounts & budgets and perhaps even raise children.
Plenty of similarities should come to the forefront as you discuss domestic partnership vs marriage. You should note that there is the scope to add a domestic partner to your health insurance plan. However, there is a need to show proof of commitment such as a shared bank account. On the contrary, in a marriage scenario, the only document you will need to show to add your partner to your health insurance is a marriage certificate.
To take the relationship a step further with your domestic partner, you can enter into a cohabitation agreement. This is something more than a romantic contract and it defines each person’s rights and obligations. This concept started sometime in the 1980s and continues to this date.
Who can become your domestic partner?
As you discuss further domestic partnership vs marriage, you must understand who can become your domestic partner.
- The age criterion is the first thing to fulfill as you are selecting a domestic partner. The individual will have crossed the age of 18 and is mentally prepared to enter into a domestic partnership contract with you.
- You and the person should be jointly responsible for each other’s financial obligations.
- The person should not have any other domestic partner.
- Neither of you should have a civil union or be married to anyone else.
- Hold a common residence and intend to keep it.
- Both of you should indefinitely intend to remain each other domestic partner.
What is the difference between domestic partnership and marriage?
This is an important segment to note, as you discuss domestic partnership vs marriage. You are perhaps of the opinion that marriage provides a lot more advantages, but as you study the various clauses, you will find that it is not so. Here are the details for readers in brief.
- At the time of income tax filing, domestic partners are spared from the hassles of marriage penalty tax.
- Domestic partners can bring up their children legally similar to married couples.
- Does your partner have a child before the relationship? In a domestic partnership agreement, you have the legal right to adopt the child.
- You get all the employee benefits such as leave if your partner is sick.
- You can visit your partner in the hospital or perhaps in prison.
Someone who is pondering over a domestic partnership vs marriage situation will find the former situation equally tempting. You get all the benefits but are exempted from hassles such as marriage penalty tax.
Which states offer legal protection for domestic partnerships?
This is another area to focus on as you discuss domestic partnership vs marriage. Not all states acknowledge domestic partnerships, but you can seek legal protection in some of these states. The list is a long one and here are the details.
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- New York
- Wisconsin
- Washington DC
- Massachusetts
These are some states, which offer legal protection for domestic partnerships. Hence, if you are debating a domestic partnership vs marriage this is the information that you must keep in mind.
Do domestic partnerships have some limits?
As you are pondering over the idea of a domestic partnership vs marriage, you would perhaps want to know about the drawbacks. The scenario could throw up a few complications and you must know the details before proceeding with the relationship. Domestic partners do not have the full rights that married couples enjoy.
- There are specific insurance policies where a domestic partner may not be fully covered. Dental care is an area where the domestic partner will not enjoy the same privileges to that as a married spouse.
- Quite often the compulsions may force you to file the taxes separately and not jointly with your domestic partner. This way you are deprived of the tax benefits that domestic partners can enjoy.
- You can adopt your partner’s child from the previous marriage, but it comes with a rider. The adaption can only take place if the biological parent of the kid surrenders his/her right.
These are some of the drawbacks you need to consider as you are debating a domestic partnership vs marriage scenario.
Read: Ways On How Can You Delete Google Reviews
Some benefits that only married couples can enjoy
This is another angle to the debate of domestic partnership vs marriage. There are certain benefits that only married couples can enjoy. Here are the details for readers in brief.
- Married couples have equal parental rights for the kid and this is something that domestic partners do not enjoy.
- A married spouse can transfer martial assets to his/her name without being taxed.
- In the case of a divorcee the laws state for married couples, there will be equal assets division. This will not be the case for domestic partners.
These are some of the benefits of married couples and you must keep them in mind while pondering over the debate of domestic partnership vs marriage.
Should I go for a domestic partnership?
You have long been pondering over the idea of a domestic partnership vs marriage. Let us answer the question straight as to what you can choose. You can consider marriage but in case it is off the table for some reason, but the relationship is committed then the domestic partnership is a good idea.
FAQ
1. What documents do I need to support my domestic partner?
These are some of the documents that you might need to support your domestic partner.
- A domestic partnership affidavit.
- Municipal domestic partner registration
- State domestic partner registration.
2. Does domestic partnership mean that you are married?
The situation may look similar to that of marriage but you are not married. There are legal contacts in a marriage, but here simply one person can move out.
3. Is it possible to marry my domestic partner later on?
Yes, there is always such a possibility and you can go ahead.
