npr.JPGNPR has a great radio snippet called “Partners in Life, Partners in Home Buying“. Though they talk most about home buying it is also good for other reasons.

Among the many legal documents that you would want to fill out in a partnership, the Co-habitation Contract, especially if your state doesn’t recognize civil unions, is one of them. Basically a Co-habitation Contract covers debts, property, taking care of kids or animals, etc. The pro of cohabitation contracts is that they help clarify financial commitments. The con of a cohabitation contract is that you both have to talk through all the issues that should be covered — including death and illness.

Since Surfgirl and I have been together for 10 years, we have been lucky life. But everyday takes us closer to a possible catastrophe and I would hate to see either one of us or another loving couple have to deal with families who don’t agree with the living arrangements or a court who doesn’t and end up losing all the memories.