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Difference between revisions of "Polyamorous Relationships"
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
→Family law agreements
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===Subject matter=== | ===Subject matter=== | ||
For people in pair relationships, cohabitation agreements usually talk about ''spousal support'' and the ''division of property and debt'' in the event their relationship ends. They don't talk about ''parenting children'' or ''child support'' because it's impossible to make decisions about these issues so far in advance. They sometimes talk about how the relationship will be managed, but agreements like this are the exception rather than the rule. | For people in pair relationships, cohabitation agreements usually talk about ''spousal support'' and the ''division of property and debt'' in the event their relationship ends. They don't talk about ''parenting children'' or ''child support'' because it's impossible to make decisions about these issues so far in advance. They sometimes talk about how the relationship itself will be managed, but agreements like this are the exception rather than the rule. The social expectations we have about pair relationships work cover the management of most people's relationships really well. | ||
While cohabitation agreements for people in polyamorous relationships can still talk about spousal support and the division of property and debt, and have the same problems talking about parenting children and child support, their real benefit usually likes in talking about how the relationship will work. Common issues that cohabitation agreements can talk about include: | While cohabitation agreements for people in polyamorous relationships can still talk about spousal support and the division of property and debt, and have the same problems talking about parenting children and child support, their real benefit usually likes in talking about how the relationship will work. Common issues that cohabitation agreements can talk about include: | ||
*Will people have children? If so, will the children be conceived naturally or through assisted reproduction? Will anyone else have parenting responsibilities for the children? | |||
*Will the family live together in one home or in more than one home? How will the family home be bought or rented? How will the mortgage or lease be paid? | |||
*How will the decision to make large repairs be made? How will those repairs be paid for? | |||
*How will the decision to buy appliances and furniture be made? How will those things be paid for and who will own them? | |||
*How will household chores be managed? | |||
*How will household expenses be paid? Will everyone contribute to a joint bank account and, if so, in what amount? Equally or in proportion to people's incomes? | |||
*If someone takes time off work for parental leave or because of illness, what happens to their financial obligations to the household? | |||
*What will the rules be about seeing people outside the relationship? When can someone else spend the night, and does anyone have to agree before someone can spend the night? | |||
*Can new people be added to the relationship? If so, how? Who needs to agree? If a new person is added, how will everyone's financial obligations change? | |||
*Can someone be asked to leave the relationship? How? What sort of notice should they be entitled to? What can they take with them when they leave? | |||
*Under what terms can someone decide to leave the relationship? What sort of notice should they have to give? What can they take with them? | |||
What's really important here is to anticipate every kind of problem that might arise during a relationship, talk about those problems ahead of time, and try to make an agreement about those problems will be handled before moving in together. | |||
===Managing negotiations=== | ===Managing negotiations=== | ||
