In today’s day and age, many life partners choose to remain unmarried for various reasons. In most cases, it’s because they believe that they do not need a formal ceremony or written document to prove that they truly love one another. Choosing not to get married does not mean that your relationship is any less valid, and New Jersey recognizes these relationships under its cohabitation law. New Jersey defines cohabitation as “A mutually supportive, intimate personal relationship in which a couple has undertaken duties and privileges that are commonly associated with marriage or civil union but does not necessarily maintain a single common household.” If you believe that you fall into this category, and you and your partner recently split up, you may be wondering whether you are entitled to alimony payments as you work to become financially independent. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced New Jersey family law attorneys to learn more about whether you qualify for alimony even though you were never married.
In New Jersey, can I receive alimony if my partner and I were never married?
You may be surprised to learn that in many cases, as long as you meet certain qualifications, you may be entitled to receive alimony, even if you were never married to your partner. Some of the factors that NJ courts consider to determine whether you were truly cohabitants and whether you may receive alimony are as follows:
- Whether you have commingled finances, such as having jointly-held bank accounts and other joint holdings or liabilities;
- Whether you and your partner shared joint responsibility for living expenses;
- Whether your friends and families recognized your relationship as legitimate;
- Whether you and your partner lived together;
- The duration of your relationship (the longer your relationship, the higher the likelihood that you may be awarded alimony);
- Whether you and your partner contributed to daily chores around the house; and
- What you and your partner do for a living, as well as both of your annual incomes.
These are just some of the factors that New Jersey courts will consider when determining whether you qualify for alimony, which is why you should hire a New Jersey family law attorney who can prove that you qualify and advocate for your best interests through every step of the process ahead. For any additional questions, simply give us a call today. We are here to help.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
We understand how confusing certain legal issues can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing individuals with the compassionate, knowledgeable legal representation they deserve. Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman has helped clients with various difficult legal challenges for over 40 years, which is why we know we have the experience needed to do the same for you. For experienced legal counsel regarding family law, litigation, business law, real estate, and criminal law, you know where to turn–contact Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman today to schedule a consultation.