What Are the Legal Rights for Unmarried Couples Who Separate in Oregon?

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If you’re unmarried with children, establishing paternity is
incredibly important in the event of separation. If paternity is
not established, child support will not be ordered, unless it’s
voluntary from one party. Additionally, there could be issues
establishing custody and parenting time. If paternity is not
established, you might be able to obtain custody and parenting
time via third-party rights.


When dividing assets and disentangling two unmarried individuals,
it first needs to be determined if they’re in a registered
domestic partnership. A registered domestic partnership is only
available in Oregon to same sex couples, and existed for the
purpose of giving marital rights to same sex couples before it
was constitutionally mandated that that was available.


An unregistered domestic partnership, which is common amongst
heterosexual, homosexual, or non-binary couples, is when you’ve
entangled all or many of your assets and life together. In this
case, the court will approach this relationship through a lens of
contract law.


Intention is a big player when it comes to unregistered domestic
partnerships. When deciding how to untangle your assets, the
court will be looking at the intention behind the relationship.
Intent can be something that's found in a formal writing,
informal writing (such as text messages or emails), but also
unwritten but implied intentions. 


When distributing assets, if the writing of intent is unclear or
if there is no writing, the court is going to have to interpret
those intentions, and they will do so through the lens of
equity. 


When it comes to handling this process on your own (DIY), there
isn't going to be a statute that tells you "this is how it’s
done", like you would see in a divorce. It's case-law and
contract driven and is entirely dependent on each unique
case. 


When in an unregistered domestic partnership, you should
mindfully engage with the other person and consider a written
relationship agreement that lays out what your intentions are in
commingling your life, as well as your intentions in the event of
a separation down the line. 


Having a good and comprehensive estate plan in place is key for
unmarried couples. Everybody should be doing this, but especially
when you don’t have a formal relationship that is legally
binding. Be mindful of the benefits you can leave your partner
and your family with when you pass away.

¿Cuáles son los Derechos Legales de las Parejas de Hecho al
Separarse en Oregon?
Si está en una unión libre y tiene hijos, establecer
la paternidad es sumamente importante en caso de separación. Si
no se establece la paternidad, no se ordenará la manutención de
hijos, a menos que una de las partes decida hacerlo
voluntariamente. Además, podría haber problemas para establecer
la custodia y el tiempo de crianza. Si no se establece la
paternidad, es posible que pueda obtener la custodia y el tiempo
de crianza a través de derechos de terceros.


Al dividir los activos y llevar a cabo la disolución de una unión
libre, primero se debe determinar si se está registrada como una
pareja de hecho. Los registros de parejas de hecho en Oregon solo
están disponibles para parejas del mismo sexo, esta existía
anteriormente con el propósito de otorgar derechos matrimoniales
a parejas del mismo sexo antes de que la constitución ordenara su
disponibilidad.


Una pareja de hecho no registrada, la cual es común entre parejas
heterosexuales, homosexuales o no binarias, es cuando se han
obtenido todos o muchos de sus activos y se ha compartido gran
parte de su vida juntos. En este caso, el tribunal observará esta
relación bajo la lupa del derecho contractual.


La intención juega un papel muy importante cuando se trata de
parejas de hecho no registradas.