Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
Mediation/Separation
My friend and her boyfriend have been together for 10 years, have a house and child together. They are now splitting up. Where should she start? What should the following steps be?
1 Answer from Attorneys
See an attorney
Unless your friend has a valid civil marriage or a common law marriage formed in a state that allows the formation of common law marriages, they are not married with each other even though lived a long time together and have a child together.
However, because they have a child together, there are issues of child support and parenting plan.
Also, if they live in WA, they likely have what is called a meretricious relationship. People who live together like husband and wife may have a meretricious relationship that allows them property rights like those of a married couple.
Your friend should review her facts and options with an attorney.