Nowadays, couples who live together without a marriage licence are treated as strangers in many areas of the law. In this text, we will look at important points that unmarried couples should be aware of.
Illness
As doctors are subject to a duty of confidentiality, they are not allowed to give any information about their partner’s state of health. For this reason, unmarried couples should grant each other power of attorney for health care.
Renting a flat
Both partners should enter their names in the tenancy agreement and sign it. This will prevent one partner from being evicted in the event of a separation. Both tenants are liable for the rent and service charges. If you do not want to sign the tenancy agreement, you should agree a temporary right of use with your partner.
Right of custody
Without a marriage licence, the mother has sole custody of the child. If the father also wishes to have custody, he must apply to the youth welfare office and recognise paternity.
Maintenance
Unmarried couples are not entitled to maintenance after a separation. Only if the couple has children does the partner who is primarily responsible for childcare have a maintenance claim until the youngest child turns three.
More information at:
https://www.br.de/radio/bayern1/ehe-ohne-trauschein-rechte-100.html
https://ihr-ratgeber-recht.de/sieben-probleme-unverheirateter-paare/
If you have any questions or problems, you can contact the youth and family advice centre JFBZ Tübingen. They offer free counselling.
Mail: jfbz-tue@kreis-tuebingen.de
https://www.kreis-tuebingen.de/jfbz
tun24070302
Das Jugendamt für den Landkreis Tübingen befindet sich im Landratsamt. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
002155