{"id":351873,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:38","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/family\/living-together\/marriage-vs-cohabitation.html"},"modified":"2026-07-15T10:55:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:55:00","slug":"marriage-vs-cohabitation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/living-together\/marriage-vs-cohabitation.html","title":{"rendered":"Marriage vs. Cohabitation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marriage vs. Cohabitation<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Marriage isn’t the right choice for all couples. Some cohabitating partners may want to avoid the formalities involved with legal marriage. Others may want to keep their financial affairs and debt burdens separate. Whatever the case, some couples choose to live together without the benefit of a traditional legal marriage. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Marriage and cohabitation come with distinct legal issues and rights. The legal implications of each include differences in:<\/p>\n