{"id":374286,"date":"2019-06-10T11:38:48","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T16:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-palimony-laws.html"},"modified":"2019-06-11T09:45:25","modified_gmt":"2019-06-11T14:45:25","slug":"minnesota-palimony-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-palimony-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Palimony Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota Palimony Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

Imagine being in a long-term relationship with a professional basketball player (who earns millions per year), on and off, for eight years. You weren’t married, but you gave birth to two of his children and have been financially dependent on the NBA star. Suddenly, you realize his wandering eye has found a new love<\/a>. He dumps you, leaving you cash-strapped. You shouldn’t have too much trouble securing child support for your kids, but you also have to support yourself.<\/p>\r\n

Well, if you live in Minnesota and have a written contract, you technically could sue your wealthy ex for palimony<\/a> — a legal claim similar to alimony<\/a> but for unmarried couples. Most states don’t have such provisions in their codes, but a Minnesota statute at least suggests a legal path for ex-partners to pursue a claim for support. As a practical matter, however, unmarried couples seldom have contracts in place before a sexual relationship or cohabitation begins. Without this agreement, Minnesota courts won’t consider a palimony claim.<\/p>\r\n

Basics of Cohabitation Agreements<\/h2>\r\n

Marriage is a legal contract between two individuals, who more or less agree to share property and take care of each other. When you decide to live with someone out of wedlock, whether or not you have children together, the parties aren’t automatically covered by such terms. That’s why some people living together choose to sign cohabitation agreements<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

These agreements are legally binding contracts signed by both parties that really only take effect if the couple splits up, similar in scope and purpose to a prenuptial agreement. Terms addressed in a cohabitation agreement may include:<\/p>\r\n