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Intended
for a variety of situations in which two or more people share living
space, or possessions, or relationships.
Adjust the wording to fit your situation, attach the recommended
papers and have signatures notarized to be legally binding. Check
with a lawyer in your state to be sure each of these statements are legal
in your area.
If
you think that having a contract means that you don't trust each other, or
that it would ruin your "romantic experience", please think
again. More than half of all marriages fall apart in the first few
years, and the courts are overburdened with unnecessary litigation for
things that could be resolved simply by discussing them in advance.
This
contract helps you think of what to discuss before marriage to ensure
success, and if you're already married, might help you fix the problems.
Please
also see the discussion in "Are you ready to
get married?"
You
may print this contract for your personal use, but please do not sell or
publish the contract or any part of it, without my written
permission. I make no guarantee that this contract is sufficient
legal protection in your state, it is up to you to ask your
attorney. I also make no guarantee that this contract will prevent
your marriage or relationship from failure or divorce, or prevent violence
or attack by one or both parties.
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Partnership
Agreement and Disclosure
between
_________________________________________________________&
___________________________________________________________
We
hereby make the following promises to our prospective spouse or
significant other, entering into the following contract, and clarifying
our relationship with this document.
- I
respect your privacy. I
will not read your mail, enter your purse or wallet without your
permission and will not read your emails or files on your computer
unless you show them to me yourself.
- I
respect the gifts you have and the purpose to which you were born,
recognizing that our gifts and paths are not the same.
I allow you the freedom to honor your developing gifts and
pursue your path, regardless of our love for each other, and
understand that having different paths does not threaten either of us,
and that it is impossible to take anything away from the other.
These are God given gifts and inalienable rights.
- We
will date, cohabitate or enter into various events and situations by
mutual consent, both as a whole relationship and concerning any
particular event that may present itself.
At any time that an event or the relationship feels
uncomfortable, seems like a betrayal of ourselves, or would harm
either of us in any way, the agreement for that particular event is
suspended upon a clear and honest notice to the other.
- I
will not harm you physically; I will not curse you, scream at you or
intimidate you in any way. I
will not belittle you or embarrass you in public or in private.
I will not pressure you to do my will or bidding.
I will not use physical, verbal, emotional or financial abuse
against you. To do so,
will void and nullify our contract and relationship.
At such time you are free to go.
(This applies to both or all parties involved and must be
understood as an absolute rule that works both ways.)
- I
will respect you when you are on the telephone, and will not interrupt
or talk loudly, make noise to hinder your call, or prevent you from
doing your business, whether personal or private.
I will allow you to talk with, visit and have over your friends
and family, and promise to allow you to have your space and time with
the people you care about and realize that it doesn't threaten me in
any way.
- I
will leave you and your finances, family and affairs both personal and
business, in better shape than when I found you. I will take nothing from you that you don’t give
freely or that I didn’t earn. Any
arbitration shall take place before a clergyman or court of law.
IT WILL NOT be fought out in anger, abuse, threats or police
action. IT WILL NOT turn
into harm done against each other in any way.
IF such angers are sparked, we each agree to retreat into
separate quarters or rooms, and cool off completely, and will not seek
to discuss it or resolve it again without the help of a clergyman or
court of law.
- If
our relationship ends, either by choice or by violation of one of
these points, neither of us will pursue the other in any violent way,
or cause harm or slander against the other.
We agree to part as friends, benevolent to each other and
honoring each other and the universe, for the greater good, and our
belief in what is right.
- We
recognize that we each hold some ideals and beliefs as sacred, and
will make every effort to honor the beliefs and ideals of the other.
It is not necessary to be converted, or to have those same
beliefs, but it IS necessary to feel the freedom to carry our own
without fear of reprisal or pressure to change.
Any ridicule of these beliefs by either partner, is a serious
indication that this relationship is not going to work, and can be
deemed harmful to one party, therefore terminates the agreement.
- We
agree to our union for as long as it lasts and that no child or third
party will be brought into this union under THIS existing agreement.
Any such pregnancy or partnership with a third, MUST be agreed
to and discussed in advance to the best of our ability, in a separate
agreement. IF an
accidental pregnancy develops, we stipulate here how that shall be
handled and any responsibilities held and incurred by either party.
(may attach separate sheet for instructions)
- At
any time that either of us wishes to end this contract, we agree to
supply to the other a statement to that effect, in a timely manner
that identifies any possible reason for the breakup.
This is to be done in a way that offers constructive criticism
or blessings wished for the partner who is receiving the breakup
notice. It is not a place
to strike out or abuse the other.
- If
such a notice of breakup is given, we agree to receive it with dignity
and resolve. We agree
that we will honor that request for freedom and let the spouse/
significant other go in peace. Before
parting, it would be very kind if each person would focus on the good
points of their partner and let them know what they appreciated about
their relationship or specific things done for them, given to them
etc. from the relationship.
- If
a breakup is decided upon, a timely and non threatening separation of
possessions and assets will be carried out according to the following
list of items and their final intended owner.
If additional items are purchased during the time of
cohabitation, a new list must be made and dated, filed with this
agreement. If this is not
done, then a division of such property in question must be decided in
arbitration. Thirty days
shall be the expected time within which these items will be
distributed or returned, unless otherwise noted, or if conditions
exist that require a different time period.
- A
list of major, or sentimental items and their intended final owners in
case of such breakup (or death of one of the partners) shall be
filled out and attached to this agreement before signing.
Changes may be made upon mutual consent by adding a new
statement, attached to this agreement and dated.
Notary seal on signatures is recommended to avoid court
litigation.
- Pets
and living things jointly owned must be recognized as having their own
needs and feelings, so they must be jointly owned and allowed
visitation rights or shared ownership for the life of the animal, in
most cases. If either
party disagrees, state the following below and list who gets the pet
if breakup occurs.
- Financial
obligations: we agree
that any debts incurred during the cohabitation are joint
responsibility and shall be divided and paid equally or according to
arbitrational decision.
- The
decisions concerning who shall pay the bills and budget, who shall
work and who shall cook and clean are to be discussed now to avoid any
misunderstanding and future argument.
Attach as much information as possible concerning
responsibilities and chores on a separate sheet, added to this
agreement before signing.
17. In case of the death of one or both parties, the instructions for
burial, notification of family, division of property and beneficiary
status are to be recorded on a separate sheet and added to this agreement.
It is recommended to have wills, living wills or trusts, and life
insurance as well, but these things are not covered in this agreement.
This agreement deals only with a simple understanding of the wishes
and needs of both parties.
- Any
past financial or moral obligations, taxes, children to support and
family needs shall be discussed in detail before signing this
agreement. (Check
initials here) Areas to
discuss: What if previous
children come to live with you, or have medical or financial crisis? What if a close family member dies and has left you as
guardian of minor children? It
is strongly recommended that each party signing this agreement first
examine the prospective partner’s last 3 years’ tax statements,
credit report, have a criminal background check done and meet the
close family members of their partners, so that no surprises or
problems will arise from the past.
- I
certify to my partner(s) or spouse that I am free from all disease to
the best of my knowledge, and I promise to remain faithful and
monogamous to him/her during our stay together.
If this is not the desired relationship, the correct
intention is stated below or on separate sheet.
For the safety of my prospective spouse/significant other,
I attach here a statement of my health, with the date of my last STD
tests. This statement
must come from a medical authority, and be attached before signing. Any violation of this promise to be faithful
voids and cancels this agreement and the other partner is free to go.
Discuss hereditary and genetic disorders or diseases and how
they may affect plans to have children later.
- Attachments
included with this document are:
Statements
of
Number
9: decision
regarding unexpected pregnancy
Number
13: disposal of possessions
Number
14: sharing of pets upon
breakup
Number
16: decisions of who works,
who cleans and cooks etc.
Number
17: in event of death, wishes
for funeral and possessions
Number
19: statement of health
Signed by
______________________________________________________________
And
___________________________________________________________________
Date:
_________________________________________
Notary
Signature: _________________________________________________________
My Commission
Expires: ______________________________________________
Print Notary
Name and Address:
Notary Seal
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