Has any progress been made in the law with regard to protecting the rights of unmarried persons in a long term relationship?
Yes. Some recent legislative enactments have tended to create some balance between married and unmarried patterns. The amended New Jersey court rules provide that all family matters, including support actions between unmarried cohabitating adults, are to be decided in the Family Part of the Chancery Divisions. The comments to the amended rule 5:1-2 state: It is the apparent intent of the Rule to include within this category of undefined family actions support and property claims among persons who constitute their relationship in a manner comparable to marriage but who are not married to each other. Presumably this category will include unmarried cohabiting adults whether or not of the same sex and children who are part of their households. Therefore, the court rules now expressly provide that unmarried cohabitants can file support actions in the family court.
