New Jersey is one of the few states that recognize domestic partnerships. However, over time, if the partners decide that their relationship should end, it’s important to know the requirements for ending a domestic partnership.
What is a domestic partnership?
A domestic partnership is similar to a marriage. It is a legal union between two people in a romantic relationship. A domestic partnership gives both parties certain benefits that they might otherwise not have access to unless they were legally married. Those benefits include the following:
- Access to their partner’s health insurance plan.
- The right to adopt children.
- Access to their partner’s life insurance benefits.
- The legal authority to make important decisions such as medical and financial if one partner is incapacitated.
Domestic partnerships were a way for same-sex couples to legally enter into a union before the Marriage Equality Act was enacted. However, in New Jersey, both same-sex and opposite-sex couples are legally allowed to enter into a domestic partnership.
How can partners end their domestic partnership?
Each state that allows domestic partnerships have different criteria for ending the partnership. New Jersey is no exception. If you are looking to end your domestic partnership, either you or you and your spouse jointly must file a request to terminate it with the New Jersey Superior Court. The court will grant a termination of your domestic partnership if you meet the right requirements. Just like with traditional divorces between married couples, the court will also decide on issues such as partner maintenance, child custody, child support and division of property.
Sometimes, when a domestic partnership is entered into, there is an agreement that states how the partnership ends if the couple decides it should end. Having an agreement can streamline the process of terminating a domestic partnership.