Domestic Partnerships/Unmarried Couples

The laws regarding same sex or opposite sex unmarried couples are not possible to summarize in a brief overview. For opposite sex unmarried couples application of equitable principles of law varies broadly from case to case as they are very fact specific. Because they are so fact specific legal precedent can be very unhelpful as guide to predicting outcomes. These cases can be very expensive and time consuming to complete. The court cannot award attorney fees as they can in a dissolution of marriage context. Same sex unmarried couples law is even more complex. Couples who registered under the Oregon Family Fairness Act will still have enforcement problems including full faith and credit issues in other states. Even the location of the cause of action within Oregon can affect the outcome in domestic partnership cases. Parties in these cases are encouraged to compromise through settlement to avoid the financial and emotional stress of litigation.