Los Angeles Cohabitation Agreements Lawyer

Protect Yourself With a Cohabitation Agreement

So you are thinking about moving in with someone. Is a cohabitation agreement necessary? That depends. How much money are you willing to risk? Will your partner hire me?

I am palimony attorney Cary W. Goldstein of Beverly Hills. Since I worked with Marvin Mitchelson, I have seen California palimony laws change significantly. Individuals with significant financial assets put a tremendous amount at risk when they move in with someone.

Without legal marriage, California courts don't recognize individual assets as community property in a cohabitation arrangement. In fact, palimony cases are treated as breach of contract lawsuits, rather than family law cases. The courts often interpret implied agreements as a legally binding contract. If it looks like a marriage, and the parties take on the roles of spouses, the courts may decide that financial assets should be shared as community property.

What can a cohabitation agreement do for you?

• Designate specific assets as individual property
• Designate what property will be considered community property
• Assign specific responsibilities and roles in the relationship
• Establish roles for parenting responsibility and child custody
• Legally acknowledge that a formal cohabitation relationship exists

I've seen it happen too many times. Without a co-habitation agreement, a good attorney can bring a case that will require you to fight a long, expensive legal battle to protect your financial assets — even if the case has no merit. The hope is that, rather than fight, you will just roll over and give up some of your wealth.

Get the Facts Before You Make the Decision

Before you enter into a living arrangement, talk to me about some things you need to know before moving in with someone. I am a nationally recognized authority in areas relating to palimony, cohabitation and property division for high net worth individuals. I will help you protect your financial interests.

The National Media Trusts My Credentials. You Can, Too.

Since 1992 I have been working exclusively in the field of domestic partnership law, including palimony, same sex cohabitation and divorce for individuals of high net worth in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. I have been listed in Southern California Super Lawyers magazine from 2004 through 2009 and was rated among the top 5% of Southern California practicing attorneys in an extensive peer review conducted by Law & Politics magazine.

I have made numerous appearances as a guest commentator on programs such as “the Today Show,” “Larry King Live,” “Good Morning America,” "MSNBC - Dan Abrams," “Extra,” and programs on Fox and CNN. I have also been quoted in The Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Contact me today. I represent clients on both sides of the palimony and cohabitation issue.