More and more Connecticut long-term, committed romantic partners are choosing not to marry. That said, a cohabitation agreement can help secure some financial protections for partners. If you have children together, you do have the same child support, custody, and parenting rights that you would, were you married. An important caveat is that if you are not biologically related to your child, you may not have parental or visitation rights without completing an adoption.
Couples may choose not to marry for financial, philosophical, political, or religious beliefs. Whatever your reasons, Connecticut unmarried couple lawyers can help you understand your options and help you design and protect your future.
When unmarried partners break up, there are various issues to address and resolve. Mediation and collaborative law options present unique opportunities for unmarried partners to reach creative resolutions outside of court. However, Connecticut courts do recognize cohabitation agreements, so couples can memorialize their financial intentions by entering into a formal cohabitation contract. Typically, these agreements address rights and obligations pertaining to financial support somewhat akin to alimony or spousal support , or how property will be divided in the event the relationship ends.
Parenting plans often include elements like parenting time, legal decision-making authority, child support , and rules around how parents will communicate about their child. Most Connecticut parents have both joint physical and joint legal custody. With joint legal custody, both parents share the ability to make decisions for the children.
Parents always have the opportunity to agree on custody and visitation. These parenting plans are reached via negotiation in litigated divorces or in litigation alternatives like mediation and collaborative divorce. The Connecticut Child Support Guidelines contain a mathematical formula to determine child support.
