Colorado Springs Domestic Partnership Lawyer

The only way to validate a legal domestic partnership in Colorado is to have both parties sign an affidavit swearing that they both consent to the partnership. The affidavit is specifically intended to prove you and your domestic partner intend to remain committed to one another and mutually vow to care for and provide support for one another.

Yes, domestic partnerships are legally recognized in the state of Colorado. Once both parties have gone through the process of officially registering the partnership, they are eligible to take advantage of the benefits of official recognition for applicable insurance and tax purposes. To learn more, please feel free to speak to a domestic partnership attorney from our team about having a free consultation.

Domestic partnerships and marriages have several major differences. Unlike marriage, domestic partnerships are not recognized in all 50 states. This means that individuals in domestic partnerships may face obstacles that married couples do not once they cross state lines. For example, domestic partners are not guaranteed universal acceptance under their partner’s medical insurance and are not guaranteed automatic inheritance of assets or death benefits if their partner should die.

Colorado is one of 11 states that recognize common law marriages and domestic partnerships. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are legally not the same. The process for qualifying for a domestic partnership also differs from qualifying for a common law marriage. Domestic partners need to register to be legally recognized in the state, but common law spouses do not need documentation to be legally recognized. Common law marriages also afford couples more benefits than domestic partnerships, including tax exemptions and social security benefits.

The short answer is, “No.” Domestic partnerships are only recognized in a handful of states, so once a couple in a domestic partnership leaves their state, there are no guarantees that they can share benefits or engage in civil matters the way they are able to do in their respective state of legal recognition.