family law attorney san jose ca

family law attorney san jose ca
In my family law practice, one of the most common things I hear over and over from customers who simply have the law declared that it is", "I wish I had known that a long time ago!" "Or," If I had known that before (whatever) happened. "

People who have any form of long-term relationship, whether married, domestic partners, or simply live together, are not usually aware that their relationship to each other - and against a third party, such as creditors and government agencies - are defined by the rules of the law, often in a way that they do not expect, or not have agreed had they known. They are not aware of what could happen if these events rules to the game.

Another surprise is that new laws may at any time and change your legal relationship in important things, without you knowing or agreeing to be. And that is nothing compared to what can happen when you move to another state. Rights and obligations that you may or may not have been aware of is suddenly very different. Law books are filled with cases of unhappy people who find, after the fact that things are not how they think or want.

Here are two more things that couples should know. First, couples can be written agreements, the rules of their relationship with their own needs and preferences. And, secondly, a relationship agreement may be a positive and constructive reinforces that your commitment to another and creates a basis for the work the problems that might arise in the future, possibly saving your relationship.

It is much better if you do not wait in ignorance of some crucial event for the spring and force the rules to your attention. I encourage every couple to know where they stand and how and to what extent they can customize their legal relationship to closely for their personal wishes.

Above all, I recommend that each pair in a basic treaty and couples are given the invaluable benefits that are just for a little effort to do so.

Their relations have been defined

If you have a long term relationship and do not have an enforceable written agreement, the rules of the law to define and regulate the following important features of your relationship:

* How open and honest, you have to be with each other

* Who owns one of the income earned by you during the relationship

* Who can take the money and assets

* Who owes a debt of you before or during the relationship

* Who owns the property, while the relationship

* Who is the Health Insurance

* Who can authorize medical or psychological treatment

* Who can make a visit to a hospital or prison

* Who can take care and apply for benefits under the disability

* Who inherits if there is not

* Who is in the retirement plan

* Who sees to the needs of the partner after the death

You have the choice of the rules established by the law or the conditions of your individual relationship in a written agreement to your own needs and preferences. You can learn more at www.nolocouples.com.

Copyright 2005 Ed Sherman

Ed Sherman is a family lawyer, award-winning author, and founder of Nolo Press. He started the self-help law movement in 1971 when he was the first edition of How to Do Your Own Divorce, and founded the paralegal industry in 1973. In his latest book, with the contract couples, Ed applies what he has learned from years of experience to couples protect and preserve their relationship. You can http://www.nolocouples.com from his books or by calling (800) 464-5502