According to the U.S. Census Bureau, growing numbers of American couples are deciding to cohabitate rather than marry. While this choice is personal and valid, it is also important to understand what legal and financial risks you may be taking by choosing not to marry.

This Fidelity article addresses common financial and estate planning issues unmarried couples face and offers four helpful tips to protect you individually and as a couple. These questions and considerations may help you determine how to address you and your partner’s finances, expenses, property and charitable giving intentions for now and in the future.

Duke University’s Office of Gift Planning encourages you to consult your financial advisor or estate planning attorney as you plan for your future with your significant other. Please contact a member of our team if we can be helpful in any way.

About the author

Gift Planning

giftplanning@duke.edu

Duke University’s Office of Gift Planning specializes in charitable gift planning for estates, charitable trusts and annuities, and other complex current and future gift plans.

For more information, please contact the Duke University Office of Gift Planning.