How is registered domestic partnership different from marriage?

State-by-state. In California, registered domestic partnerships have nearly identical rights to marriage at the state level (community property, support, dissolution, parental rights, hospital visitation, etc.). Federal benefits typically don't apply (no federal Social Security spousal benefits, federal income-tax married filing, federal estate-tax marital deduction). Federal recognition has expanded for some purposes but not generally; consult specific federal-benefit rules.

What if my state doesn't recognise domestic partnerships?

You can still execute a domestic-partnership agreement, but it functions more like a cohabitation agreement. The agreement governs the parties' contractual obligations to each other but doesn't create legal "domestic partner" status. Critical in non-recognising states: comprehensive will, healthcare power of attorney, beneficiary designations - these documents create the marriage-like protections that registration would create automatically.

How do I dissolve a registered domestic partnership?

State-specific. California: typically requires court action similar to divorce, with full property division and support determination. Some states allow administrative dissolution if partnership is short and there are no children/significant assets. Oregon and Nevada have specific dissolution procedures. The agreement's dissolution terms guide substantive division but don't replace state-mandated procedures.

Do we need separate wills?

YES, in addition to this agreement. Without a will, intestate succession in most states does NOT recognise unmarried partners (registered domestic partners may be exception in some states). The other partner can be completely disinherited from intestate property without explicit will provisions. Each partner should have a will naming the other as primary beneficiary; review and update regularly.

What about Social Security?

Social Security spousal benefits generally apply only to legally married couples (federal definition). Domestic partners typically don't qualify for spousal Social Security benefits. Some narrow exceptions exist for specific circumstances. Consult a benefits attorney for individual situations - the financial impact can be substantial over a lifetime.

Domestic Partnership Agreement

Agreement between domestic partners covering property, finances, and rights similar to marital agreements.

Customise

Partner A — name

Partner B — name

Shared address

Domestic partnership start date

Governing state

Type of domestic partnership

Partner A — separate property

Partner B — separate property

Approach to shared assets and earnings

Beneficiary and inheritance provisions

Medical decision-making rights

Dissolution terms

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DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

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This Agreement is between:

Partner A: Jordan Alex Taylor
Partner B: Aleksandra Petrova

Sharing residence at 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214 since September 15, 2024.

Type of partnership: Registered domestic partnership (state-recognised)
Governing state: Oregon

ARTICLE I - SEPARATE PROPERTY

A. Partner A:

Pre-partnership condo at 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B (now jointly occupied).
Pre-partnership Schwab brokerage and Acme 401(k).
Family inheritance kept in separate inherited-asset account.

B. Partner B:

Pre-partnership Fidelity brokerage and savings.
Family heirlooms.
Pre-partnership debts (student loans).

ARTICLE II - SHARED ASSETS AND EARNINGS

Each partner's separate property remains separate.
Property acquired during partnership using partnership-period earnings or by mutual agreement is shared 50/50.
Earnings during partnership are pooled for joint household expenses; each partner retains their own earnings beyond shared expenses.
Jointly-titled assets are owned 50/50 unless otherwise specified at acquisition.

ARTICLE III - BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS AND INHERITANCE

Each partner designates the other as beneficiary on (or appropriate intestate-equivalent for):
- Life insurance.
- Retirement-account beneficiary designations.
- Bank and brokerage accounts as TOD (transfer-on-death).
Each partner has executed a will and durable power of attorney designating the other.
For states without registered-partner inheritance rights, will execution is essential - intestate succession does not include unmarried partners.

ARTICLE IV - MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING

Each partner has executed a Healthcare Power of Attorney designating the other as primary healthcare agent.
Each partner has signed an Advance Directive expressing end-of-life preferences and appointing the other.
Hospital visitation: each partner is designated as authorised visitor under HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable state hospital-visitation laws.

ARTICLE V - DISSOLUTION

In the event of partnership dissolution:
1. Each partner retains all separately-titled assets.
2. Joint accounts are split 50/50.
3. Joint personal property is divided amicably; mediation if not within 60 days.
4. Neither partner shall seek "palimony" or partner support; mutual waiver.
5. The cohabitation residence (Partner A's pre-partnership condo) remains Partner A's sole property.
6. For registered domestic partnerships, formal state-court dissolution may be required - this Agreement governs the substantive division.

ARTICLE VI - GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The parties have made full mutual financial disclosure.
2. Each party has had the opportunity to consult independent counsel.
3. The Agreement may be modified only by writing signed by both parties.
4. The Agreement is governed by the law of the State of Oregon.

EXECUTION

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Jordan Alex Taylor (Partner A)

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Aleksandra Petrova (Partner B)

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

State of Oregon )
) ss.
County of __________________ )

Subscribed and sworn before me on _________________ (date).

________________________________
Notary Public — signature & seal

About this template

A domestic partnership agreement is similar in scope and function to a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, addressing property rights, financial arrangements, and dissolution terms - but for couples who are not legally married. Domestic partnership status varies dramatically by state: (1) Registered Domestic Partnerships exist in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington, DC, and a few other states - registered partners have many marital rights at the state level, but not federal recognition (with limited exceptions); (2) Civil Unions remain in some states (Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont) - similar state-level rights to marriage; (3) Common-law / informal partnerships have no automatic legal status in most states. After Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) made same-sex marriage a constitutional right, many same-sex couples married rather than register as domestic partners. However, domestic partnerships remain useful for: (a) couples (any sexual orientation) who don't want to marry; (b) older couples whose Social Security or pension rules disfavour remarriage; (c) couples in transitional living arrangements; (d) couples in states still recognising domestic partnerships with state-level benefits. Critical elements to include: (1) Property treatment (separate vs joint vs pooled); (2) Financial contribution allocation; (3) Beneficiary designations - because intestate succession typically doesn't include unmarried partners, will and beneficiary documents are essential; (4) Medical proxy rights via Healthcare Power of Attorney - hospital visitation and medical decision-making for unmarried partners often blocked without explicit documentation; (5) Dissolution terms - what happens at relationship end. State law on registered domestic partnerships varies on dissolution procedure: California requires formal court dissolution similar to divorce; Oregon allows administrative dissolution; some state-specific procedures. For substantial assets, business interests, or complex situations, individual counsel for both parties is strongly recommended.

When to use it

Couples in registered-domestic-partnership states clarifying rights.
Older couples avoiding remarriage for benefits reasons.
Same-sex couples in states still recognising domestic partnerships.
Long-term unmarried couples wanting marriage-like rights.
Couples coordinating estate planning beyond intestate succession.

What to include

Both partners' identification and partnership type.
Each partner's separate property.
Shared-assets approach.
Beneficiary designations.
Medical-proxy rights.
Dissolution terms.
Independent-counsel acknowledgement.

Frequently asked

Yes for several use cases. (1) Older couples whose Social Security or pension benefits favor remaining unmarried. (2) Couples wanting state-level recognition without federal marriage. (3) States still operating domestic-partner registries (California, Oregon, Nevada, DC, others). (4) Couples in transitional arrangements not ready for marriage. (5) Same-sex couples married before Obergefell using prior domestic-partnership status as historical record.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. Domestic partnership law varies dramatically by state. Registered domestic partnerships exist in California, Oregon, Nevada, DC, and limited other states. Civil unions remain in Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont. Federal recognition is generally limited; Social Security spousal benefits don't apply. ALWAYS execute comprehensive estate planning (will, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, advance directive, beneficiary designations) for any unmarried couple. Consult family-law attorneys for state-specific advice and for substantial-asset situations.