Dissolution of Domestic Partnerships

Under California Law in effect since 2005, individuals who are not married and who have "chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring" (Family Code Section 297) have been entitled to register with the State of California as Domestic Partners and thus become entitled to virtually all of the rights and responsibilities of individuals who are married to each other.  Thus, a dissolution of a domestic partnership involves the potential of the same property, custody, and support rights applicable to spouses who are dissolving a marriage, although the tax treatment of the division of assets and awards of support may differ significantly from such issues in the dissolution of a marriage.