Many people in Australia are living together but not marrying. This is called a de facto partnership. De facto partners live like a married couple but without the legal marriage. These relationships give couples the chance to build a life together without the legal stuff of marriage.
But de facto relationships have legal rules that are important to know.
This guide from Tonkin Law, a trusted Australian family law firm, will teach you about the legal side of de facto relationships in Australia. We will explain what makes a relationship de facto, your rights and duties in a de facto partnership, and why it is important to get legal help from the family law experts at Tonkin Law.
Understanding the law can help your live-in relationship thrive and be based on a safe base.
De Facto Relationships
A de facto relationship is when two people live together as a couple but are not married. There is no fancy party or paperwork needed. However, Australian law treats de facto relationships like marriage in some ways.
Key Factors for a De Facto Relationship
The Family Law Act explains the rules for de facto relationships in Australia. Here are some common things courts look at:
Living together
Living together for a long time is important. The exact time is not set, but courts often think that two years or more shows a real relationship.
Length of time together
There is no fixed time limit, but usually, people need to live together for a while. Courts may consider shorter times if there are important things like kids or shared money.
Nature of the relationship
A committed relationship with shared money, chores, and maybe raising kids together. Having things like joint bank accounts, shared bills, or shared property can help show a de facto relationship.
Why Choose Tonkin Law for Your De Facto Relationship Needs?
Tonkin Law knows the many rules about de facto partners in Australia. Their team with law skills can tell you your rights and what you must do about:
- Financial matters: How to split things and money if you split up. They can help make deals on who gets what stuff and money during the time you were partners.
- Children’s rights and responsibilities: Rights for kids born when you were partners. They can help with where kids live, who pays for kids, and rules about being a parent.
- Estate planning: It is vital to make sure your partner gets things if you pass away. Married couples can get stuff from each other easily. But other couples cannot get stuff from each other easily. So other couples need to make plans. Wills and other estate planning tools are important for these couples. Tonkin Law can help make a plan that says what each person will get. This plan will make sure your wishes happen.
Importance of Understanding Your Rights
If you live with your partner but are not married, you are in a de facto relationship. This has some good things, but you should know the laws in Australia.
Tonkin Law says that even though de facto relationships are like marriage, there may be some limits. For example, de facto partners may not get the same help from the government as married couples. You should talk to Tonkin Law’s family law experts. They can help you understand these tricky parts and make sure you and your partner are protected.
Taking the Next Step with Tonkin Law
Tonkin Law says that de facto couples in Australia should get legal help. Getting in touch with their experienced family law team can give you peace of mind. It will make sure your relationship is built on a strong base.
Is living with your partner without marriage the right choice for you? Tonkin Law has many things that can help people in de facto relationships. They have resources and services made just for these couples. This can help you feel good about your own special situation.
Final Thoughts
In the end, de facto relationships can be a good choice in Australia instead of marriage. They give away for couples who care about each other to be together. But the legal parts can be hard. Tonkin Law’s family law team knows a lot about this area. They can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities. This will make sure your de facto relationship is built solidly.
By getting help from Tonkin Law to plan for money, kids’ rights, and estates, you can feel confident about your future as a couple. Get in touch with Tonkin Law now. This first step will lead to a secure and fulfilling de facto relationship.