Estate Planning

Domestic Partnership Agreements That Protect Both Partners

A clear written agreement between unmarried partners about property, finances, and shared life.

Domestic Partnership Agreements That Protect Both Partners

A clear written agreement between unmarried partners about property, finances, and shared life.

Flat-fee pricing · Free to schedule

Arizona does not provide unmarried partners with the automatic legal protections marriage carries. A Domestic Partnership Agreement is the most direct way for unmarried couples to define expectations and protect each other in writing.

Common provisions cover ownership of jointly purchased property, treatment of separate property brought into the relationship, contribution to shared expenses, and what happens if the relationship ends. We tailor each agreement to the couple in front of us rather than relying on a template.

We pair the Domestic Partnership Agreement with the rest of an estate plan: wills or trusts that designate each partner as a beneficiary, powers of attorney that name each partner as agent, and health care directives that ensure hospital access and decision-making authority. The combination is powerful.

Nicole approaches these conversations with care and discretion. The goal is a clear, fair agreement that supports the relationship rather than straining it.

Issues that a Domestic Partnership Agreement Can Address in Phoenix

A domestic partnership agreement in Phoenix can address many different issues and will be unique to each couple. An attorney can help you create a domestic partnership agreement that works for you and your family. Some examples of areas that a domestic partnership agreement can address include:

How property and assets are owned;
Who makes payments for maintenance or repairs on shared property;
Whether income and other expenses are shared;
How joint checking or saving accounts are controlled;
Who has control of pension or retirement accounts;
Property division in the event of separation;
Debt division in the event of separation;
Maintenance and support in the event of separation;
Child custody in the event of separation; and
Estate planning tools, such as wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and living wills

The Domestic Partnership Agreement is Private in Phoenix

The domestic partnership agreement is a private contract between you and your partner and not filed with courts. Third parties will not be able to search for a copy of a domestic partnership agreement.

Other Estate Planning Tools to Consider in Phoenix

In addition to a domestic partnership agreement, if you and your partner are unmarried but in a committed relationship, you should consider creating the following estate planning documents:

Last Will and Testament: A legal document with instructions for disposing of assets and caring for your children after death. If you are unmarried and die without a will in Phoenix, your partner will not be entitled to any part of your estate unless you create a will.
Revocable Trust: A trust that holds assets for the benefit of other persons or entities. Since it is revocable, you can change it during your lifetime.
Durable Power of Attorney: A legal document that gives another person legal authority to sign on your behalf. It will allow your partner to handle your finances if you become incapacitated.
Health Care Power of Attorney: A legal document that gives another person the authority to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to.
Living Will: A legal document that states your end-of-life care wishes, such as whether to be placed on life-support.

Flat-fee, no surprises

Included in the Will Package: $1,350 for individuals, $1,600 for couples. View full pricing.

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Schedule a virtual consultation or telephone call with Nicole Pavlik. Flat-fee pricing, clear timelines, and a process designed around you.

Last Will & Testament

Revocable Living Trust

Special Needs Trust

Living Will

Durable Power of Attorney

Health Care Power of Attorney

Parental Power of Attorney

Mental Health Care Power of Attorney