I had a very long term unmarried relationship and my companion just recently died of cancer. I am entitled to make a claim for support against my companion’s estate?
It is not uncommon for many middle-aged couples to live together for years if not decades. Many men are very hesitant to get remarried especially if they have had a tumultuous divorce. Many people after they have experienced a bitter divorce realize that marriage is not a “bed of roses.” Moreover, many men are financially ruined after a divorce, and many more are still “shell shocked” from their divorce. Nonetheless, many people still enjoy the benefits of having a live-in companion, but prefer to avoid all of the legal entanglements that marriage entails. Consequently, in my experience I have found that many unmarried relationships actually last longer many marriages. Another important issue is whether a person can make a claim against their deceased cohabitant’s estate. An illustrative case is In re Roccamonte, 174 N.J. 381 (2002). In this case the New Jersey Supreme Court held that agreements of support between cohabitants are enforceable against the deceased cohabitant’s estate. In
Related Questions
- I had a very long term unmarried relationship and my companion just recently died of cancer. I am entitled to make a claim for support against my companion’s estate?
- Has any progress been made in the law with regard to protecting the rights of unmarried persons in a long term relationship?
- What is ovarian cancers relationship to breast cancer?
