"This book covers laws affecting cohabiting unmarried couples in a wide variety of areas--family law, debt and credit, real estate, taxes, medical care, insurance, estate planning, etc., and contains sample forms and contracts. Topics include: buying or renting a house; sharing checking accounts, credit cards, and property (or keeping everything separate); having and raising children; writing wills and estate plans; getting authorization to make medical...

Gay and lesbian couples have gained a lot of legal ground in recent years. Although same-sex marriage is legal, it's important to stay up to speed on the laws governing parentage, adoption, civil unions, and domestic partnerships, which vary from state to state. And if you choose to remain unmarried, it's essential that you protect your rights and define your relationship in the eyes of the law. This plain-English guide shows you how to do it.