What are the legal implications of living together before marriage?

In Indiana, the legal implications of living together before marriage can vary depending on the circumstances. Generally speaking, unmarried cohabitating couples in Indiana are not subject to the same legal rights and obligations as married couples. For example, if one partner passes away, the surviving partner will not receive any assets of the deceased partner unless they are specifically stated in a will. Additionally, a cohabitating partner may not be able to make certain medical decisions involving their partner without a properly-executed power of attorney. Cohabitating partners also do not receive any of the same tax benefits that married couples are given in Indiana, such as the ability to file joint income tax returns. Indiana also does not recognize any form of a common-law marriage, so living together for an extended period of time does not create any legal obligation for either partner. However, Indiana does recognize certain rights for cohabitating partners, including the right to enter into a contract for common necessities such as housing or health insurance. It is also important to remember that cohabitating couples in Indiana can still be subject to domestic violence protection orders and criminal charges for abuse. Overall, living together before marriage does not carry many legal implications in Indiana, but it is important for couples to be aware of the limitations and potential legal issues they may encounter.

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