Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
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.
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.
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.
A domestic partnership agreement is a legal document between two people in a committed, unmarried relationship. It can outline:
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.
North Carolina does not recognize common-law marriage. That means:
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.
Cohabitation may feel informal, but the consequences can be very real. If you’re planning to move in together, we can help you:
You don’t have to expect conflict to prepare for fairness.
When domestic partners separate, they often face the same challenges as divorcing couples, without the same legal roadmap.
Our goal is to reduce confusion, preserve respect, and help both parties move forward with dignity.
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:
We understand the emotional and legal weight these cases carry. We meet them with respect.
If you’re not legally married, your partner may not have automatic authority to:
We help domestic partners put these protections in place—so no one is left out or shut out when it matters most.
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 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.
Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
...Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and...
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and helps you work through a difficult process. I appreciate her guidance and the team’s support. Highly recommend.
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law, I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of...
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law,
I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of the most stressful and emotional situations I’ve ever faced, and having Shannon in my corner gave me an incredible amount of peace of mind.
From the beginning, I trusted her completely. Even with an incredibly short notice with my request for help, Shannon handled every aspect of my case tactfully, professionally, and with genuine care. She was an incredible negotiator, always made sure I understood what was happening and when/why it was happening, and most importantly, made sure I felt comfortable with every decision along the way.
In a situation that naturally comes with so much stress and uncertainty, Shannon took a tremendous amount of that weight off my shoulders. I knew she was fighting for what mattered most to me and that I could trust her judgment every step of the way.
Calling her a lifesaver honestly feels like an understatement. I will always be grateful for what Shannon did for me and my family. If you are looking for an attorney who is professional, compassionate, trustworthy, and someone you genuinely want in your corner, I cannot recommend Shannon and Ellis Family Law highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation, thank you so much!
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job!...
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job! My only regret is I didn’t meet her years ago
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations...
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations that I’d only hoped for. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my divorce.
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter...
I cannot say enough good things about this law firm and the support I have received from Kathleen and her team. Going through a difficult and emotional family law matter can be incredibly overwhelming, but having an attorney who is knowledgeable, responsive, honest, and truly listens has made such a difference.
Kathleen has taken the time to understand my situation, answer my questions, explain my options, and help me navigate decisions that I never expected to have to make. I have always felt that my concerns were taken seriously and that I had someone in my corner advocating for me while still giving me realistic and straightforward advice.
The entire office has been professional, compassionate, and helpful throughout the process. When you’re dealing with something that affects your children, your family, and your future, having confidence in the people representing you means everything.
I am extremely grateful for Kathleen and her team and would highly recommend this office to anyone looking for knowledgeable and compassionate representation in a family law matter.
We are equally skilled in litigation and in resolving disputes outside of court.
Mediation, arbitration, and collaborative approaches that resolve disputes with less stress and more cooperation.
Thoughtful advocacy for parenting arrangements that protect your children and preserve what matters most.
Because you’ve built too much to leave it to chance.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
