Donna Beck Weaver      Family Law and Mediation

California Law does not provide for “common law” marriage.  For unmarried couples who are living together, legal rights and responsibilities are often uncertain.  It is wise for unmarried couples to consider a Cohabitation Agreement to clarify the arrangements that they intend to make with one another.

California law continues to be in a state of flux concerning the rights of committed same sex couples.  As a result, it has become commonplace for same sex couples to seek customized agreements to define the terms of the family relationship they are creating.

For same sex couples who have or plan to have children together, it may be especially important to formalize family agreements, since legal rights can be uncertain.  Mediation can help same sex parents to create a structure that will ensure and preserve the family relationships that they hope to create.  Collaborative Law can also be helpful for same sex couples who may benefit from the additional expertise available.

For a relationship that is beginning, respectful approaches such as Mediation or Collaborative Law can help couples reach mutual understandings that will support their commitment.  Mediation and Collaborative Law are well suited because of their emphasis on exploring each person’s interests and concerns, and working out mutually acceptable arrangements through respectful dialog.  An added bonus is that this type of respectful approach can be useful to the couple throughout their relationship.

Los Angeles Family Law Attorney Donna Beck Weaver’s article The Collaborative Law Process for Prenuptial Agreements has been published in the Pepperdine University School of Law Dispute Resolution Journal and the Minnesota Family Law Journal.

Contact Family Law Attorney Donna Beck Weaver for more information about Prenuptial Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements or Domestic Partner Agreements.