Unmarried Couples

Unmarried Couples in Rhode Island

Providing Representation in RI for Over 30 Years

When two people separate who have never been legally married, it can bring about a variety of issues and problems that are best handled by a competent Rhode Island family law attorney. Our firm is compassionate about the matters you are dealing with and we are prepared to use our experience and resources to your advantage. At McIntyre Tate LLP, we have more than 150 years of combined experience representing a wide range of complex family law and divorce cases, including those involving unmarried couples.

Contact McIntyre Tate LLP online or call (401) 351-7700 to schedule a consultation.

Rhode Island Unmarried Couples & Their Rights

Rhode Island law has never permitted an unrelated co-habitant to acquire a legal or equitable interest in the accumulations, income, or property of a fellow co-habitant merely as a result of the existence of an intimate relationship. Neither the Rhode Island General Assembly nor the Rhode Island Supreme Court has ever recognized a "quasi-marital" relationship.

Thus individuals who are engaged in a "meretricious" relationship have never been permitted, solely by virtue of their involvement in such a relationship, to gain an equitable or legal right to a fellow cohabitant's property. Similarly, Rhode Island has not recognized "palimony" actions.

Accordingly, in Rhode Island a paramour can only obtain an interest in property of a cohabitant when:
The couple clearly intended to enter a common law marriage by virtue of their cohabitation (and thus they are treated as "married").
The couple entered a formal agreement giving rise to enforcement under contract law (i.e. for specific services such as homemaking).
There are sufficient facts to support a claim of unjust enrichment.

Cases We Handle

At McIntyre Tate, our unmarried couples rights lawyers can help with:

Cohabitation agreements
Paternity or parentage cases
Committed intimate relationships
Domestic partnerships
Older couples
Same-sex couples

Contact a Rhode Island Unmarried Couples Rights Attorney

If you and your loved one need representation, turn to McIntyre Tate LLP. Our seasoned attorneys have decades of experience and are dedicated to serving the people of Rhode Island. Click here to learn more about why you should choose our firm.

Contact us at (401) 351-7700 to speak with one a Rhode Island family law attorney.

Contact Us

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Unparalleled Experience. Unsurpassed Service. Unmatched Dedication.

Every case prepared thoroughly for trial if court intervention or litigation becomes necessary
We are highly selective about the cases we take on & limit our caseload to ensure individualized service
We utilize networks of paralegals, support staff, & experts needed to leverage high-end cases
We work as a cohesive team to create concise legal solutions & compassionate client services
Five of our attorneys each have 25+ years’ family law experience – a depth of practice few others can match.