What are the legal rights of an unmarried couple?

In Texas, there are no legal rights or responsibilities for an unmarried couple. According to the Texas Family Code, marriage is “a civil contract between a man and a woman in which the couple agree to be husband and wife.” This means that an unmarried couple cannot obtain any of the rights and benefits of marriage while living together, including the right to inherit property, make medical decisions for one another, or file joint taxes. However, an unmarried couple may receive some financial benefits that married couples do not have access to, such as student loan discounts, cheaper rent, and less expensive insurance premiums. Additionally, the Texas Constitution provides some protection for unmarried couples who have cohabited for at least three years, such as prohibiting employers from discriminating against them when making hiring decisions and preventing them from being evicted without lawful cause. Unmarried couples may also enter into a domestic partnership agreement that provides limited rights and benefits similar to those of marriage. This agreement can cover items such as living arrangements, financial support, and the division of property should the relationship end. Lastly, an unmarried couple may enter into contracts and agreements with each other to legally bind each other to certain terms, such as agreeing to share expenses or make a loan.

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What are the legal rights of an unmarried couple?

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