Domestic Partnership Attorneys

Protecting What You’ve Built—Even Without a Marriage License

Not every committed relationship involves marriage. But when life, property, or parenting are shared, legal protection matters. Our domestic partnership attorneys help unmarried couples in Durham define their rights, plan their future, or separate with clarity.

Just Because You Didn’t Get Married Doesn’t Mean You Didn’t Build a Life Together

Maybe you’ve been together for years. Maybe you share a home, a child, or a business. Maybe marriage wasn’t your choice, or wasn’t legally recognized when you started out.

Now, you’re either planning your future or preparing to go separate ways—and you realize: You need legal clarity, too.

At Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C. in North Carolina, we help domestic partners across the Triangle put structure around what they’ve created—whether they’re growing together or moving on respectfully.

You don’t have to be married to deserve protection.

Ready to Talk?

Speak with a board-certified specialist.

We Help With:

Drafting and reviewing domestic partnership agreements
Helping LGBTQ+ couples who partnered before marriage equality
Creating cohabitation agreements for shared property and finances
Resolving separation issues for unmarried partners
Parenting plans and custody for non-married co-parents
Real estate and asset division outside of marriage
Estate planning and medical decision-making for partners

If you’ve shared your life, you’ve shared legal risks—even if the law doesn’t automatically recognize your relationship. We help you navigate those risks and protect what matters.

What is a Domestic Partnership Agreement?

A domestic partnership agreement is a legal document between two people in a committed, unmarried relationship. It can outline:

How shared property will be owned or divided
What happens financially if the relationship ends
How joint purchases like real estate or vehicles are managed
Rights and responsibilities during the relationship
Dispute resolution terms (especially important in a separation)

Think of it like a prenuptial agreement—but for couples who never formally tied the knot. It’s a way to define expectations and reduce conflict, without needing to enter a marriage contract.

Why It Matters

North Carolina does not recognize common-law marriage. That means:

Living together for years doesn’t give you automatic legal rights
You have no right to property or support unless you’re legally named
Separation can become messier than divorce, because the law offers less structure
You may have no say in medical emergencies or end-of-life matters

If your name isn’t on the deed, account, or document, you may not be protected.

That’s why planning matters. And that’s why we’re here.

Thinking of Living Together? Talk to a Lawyer First.

Cohabitation may feel informal, but the consequences can be very real. If you’re planning to move in together, we can help you:

Create a cohabitation agreement that covers finances, rent, and shared assets
Decide how to handle major purchases or joint accounts
Clarify expectations around debt, children, or property ownership
Avoid legal ambiguity in the event of separation

You don’t have to expect conflict to prepare for fairness.

Already Splitting Up? You Still Deserve a Plan.

When domestic partners separate, they often face the same challenges as divorcing couples, without the same legal roadmap.

We help clients:

Separate jointly owned property
Resolve financial entanglements like bank accounts, credit cards, or loans
Determine parental rights and create custody schedules
Handle real estate division when only one name is on the deed
Prevent or resolve disputes about “who gets what”

Our goal is to reduce confusion, preserve respect, and help both parties move forward with dignity.

LGBTQ+ Clients and Pre-Marriage Equality Partnerships

Many LGBTQ+ couples built decades-long lives together before marriage was legally available. Others never chose to marry, but still share deep financial, emotional, and parental bonds.

We’ve helped LGBTQ+ clients:

Memorialize long-term partnerships through legal documents
Protect themselves and their children during a separation
Navigate the overlap between domestic partnership and marriage
Transition from partnership to marriage with the right legal updates
Draft or review agreements tailored to nontraditional families

We understand the emotional and legal weight these cases carry. We meet them with respect.

Estate Planning and Medical Rights for Domestic Partners

If you’re not legally married, your partner may not have automatic authority to:

Make medical decisions on your behalf
Access healthcare or financial accounts
Inherit property or assets without a will
Handle funeral or burial wishes

We help domestic partners put these protections in place—so no one is left out or shut out when it matters most.

Serving Durham and the Triangle Area

We work with unmarried couples across Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and beyond—whether they’re preparing for the future or sorting out the past. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations to meet your needs.

You Didn’t Need a Marriage License to Build a Life. You Still Deserve Legal Clarity.

You shared a home, a vision, maybe even a family. You don’t need the state to validate that to seek protection.

We help domestic partners make clear, respectful legal plans—whether you’re staying together or preparing for change.

Hear From Our Clients

Jolie is an exceptional attorney who made it her mission to ensure that I had quick correspondence when it was absolutely needed. Jolie and her team answered any in all...

Jolie is an exceptional attorney who made it her mission to ensure that I had quick correspondence when it was absolutely needed. Jolie and her team answered any in all questions I had and worked with me, taking into consideration the best interest of my family and situation. I cannot say enough good things about how Jolie handled my case, her knowledge, expeditious review of my case, and the amazing work she did. Jolie gave me peace of mind, truly working to understand my case. It is clearly evident how much Jolie cares about her clients.

Shane Davekos

My lawyer Shannon Tucker was absolutely amazing and won me my case.

...

My lawyer Shannon Tucker was absolutely amazing and won me my case.

Joseph Williford

Kathleen has done an AMAZING job. In an otherwise terrible situation, Kathleen has kept things moving forward and has been an amazing attorney! She is excellent at keeping up communication,...

Kathleen has done an AMAZING job. In an otherwise terrible situation, Kathleen has kept things moving forward and has been an amazing attorney! She is excellent at keeping up communication, and is a bulldog in the courtroom. I highly recommend Kathleen, she has made an otherwise bad situation very manageable.

David Kimball

Emma and Sarah were absolutely wonderful to work with during the Separation Agreement process and then through the divorce process. They stayed in contact with me, and advised me as...

Emma and Sarah were absolutely wonderful to work with during the Separation Agreement process and then through the divorce process. They stayed in contact with me, and advised me as to the best actions to take. They also presented all of the options that I could take. I would highly recommend them.

Rebecca McPeak

My fiance and I worked with Jack T. for custody of his two kids over the last year-ish. He’s truly been heaven sent. He’s responsible, detail oriented, genuinely invested, remembers...

My fiance and I worked with Jack T. for custody of his two kids over the last year-ish. He’s truly been heaven sent. He’s responsible, detail oriented, genuinely invested, remembers conversations for months prior & genuinely will stand up for his clients! We worked with him at his old firm and through the transition also, and he didn’t miss a beat. Thankful for him & the outcome. Definitely recommend.

Olivia Conner

Working with Tony Kehoe during my separation was easily one of the best decisions I made during a challenging time. Tony brings a rare combination of legal precision, calm professionalism,...

Working with Tony Kehoe during my separation was easily one of the best decisions I made during a challenging time. Tony brings a rare combination of legal precision, calm professionalism, and genuine empathy to the process. He kept the strategy focused, protected my interests every step of the way, and made sure I felt informed and supported through every detail. If you need a steadfast, highly capable attorney who truly advocates for you, I cannot recommend Tony highly enough!

Skot Smith

Related Practice Areas

We are equally skilled in litigation and in resolving disputes outside of court.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation Today

Because you’ve built too much to leave it to chance.

Ex Files featuring Pour Decisions

Stay up to date on changes in North Carolina law
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And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!