When it comes to love, there are a lot of options out there. You can be in a committed relationship, you can be casually dating, you can be married, or you can enter into a domestic partnership. But what’s the difference between all of these arrangements? And which one is right for you?
Marriage vs Civil Partnership
The Pros and Cons of Marriage
Marriage is a legally binding contract that comes with a host of rights and responsibilities. For example, married couples are entitled to certain tax breaks and can make medical decisions for each other in the event that one spouse is unable to do so. On the downside, marriage also means that you’re financially responsible for your spouse’s debts and you may have to split your assets in the event of a divorce.
The Pros and Cons of Domestic Partnership
Domestic partnerships are similar to marriage in many ways, but there are also some key differences. Like marriage, domestic partnerships confer certain legal rights and responsibilities on couples. However, these rights and responsibilities vary from state to state. Additionally, domestic partnerships don’t usually come with the same tax benefits as marriage. On the plus side, though, domestic partnerships can be easier to dissolve than marriages if the relationship doesn’t work out.
The Pros and Cons of Living Together
The debate between marriage and living together has been around for years. Some couples swear by the benefits of living together before getting married, while others are adamant that marriage is the only way to go. So, which is the right choice for you and your partner? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option to help you decide.
Living Together Pros
You get to test out compatibility – Living together gives you a chance to see if you’re truly compatible with your partner before making a lifelong commitment. You can figure out things like how well you handle living in close quarters, whether you’re able to compromise on important issues, and how well you communicate when things get tough. If things don’t work out, it’s much easier to walk away from a live-in relationship than it is from marriage.
You’re not legally bound – When you’re married, you’re legally bound to your spouse until death (or divorce) do you part. This can be a good thing if things work out, but it can also be a bad thing if things go south. When you live together, there’s no such legal binding, so you can walk away from the relationship without any messy legal entanglements.
Living Together Cons
You might be viewed as less committed – In some circles (particularly older generations), couples who choose to live together before getting married are viewed as less committed to each other than those who go the traditional route. If your family and friends fall into this camp, living together before marriage could cause some tension.
There are no guarantee things will work out – Just because you live together before getting married doesn’t mean that your relationship is automatically doomed, but it doesn’t guarantee that things will work out either. Every relationship is different, so there’s no surefire way to predict the future.
Conclusion
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding whether to get married, enter into a domestic partnership or live together. It ultimately comes down to what’s best for you and your relationship. If you’re looking for legal protections and financial benefits, then marriage might be the way to go. But if you want something that’s less permanent and comes with fewer responsibilities, then a domestic partnership or living together might be a better fit.
