How does the court divide property if our relationship is considered marriage-like?
If your relationship was marriage-like, the court will assume that property acquired during the relationship was owned together. If one domestic partner does not overcome this presumption (by showing that the property was not joint), then the court will divide the property acquired during the relationship in a just and equitable way. The court has discretion in deciding what is just and equitable. “Just and equitable” does not necessarily mean a 50-50 division. In dividing the property, the court considers the nature and extent of the property, the length of the relationship, and the economic circumstances of each person at the time the property is divided. In addition, the court will consider non-financial contributions by one of the parties when making its decision (such as care for children, help with starting a business, etc.).[9] One domestic partner should not unfairly benefit at the expense of the other. [10] Is there some property of a marriage-like relationship that the court
