Because California is not a state that recognizes common law marriage, your girlfriend has no rights to your assets by virtue of the relationship that you had. Any assets that you own individually are yours and not subject to claim by her unless she has some other cause of action against you, such as in contract.
Unmarried couples are not entitled to the property, inheritance, and spousal support rights of married couples, but they do have the right to enter into an agreement that specifies how these issues are handled. That said, California does place some restrictions on agreements between unmarried couples.
Property. If an unmarried couple owns a house, or other substantial property together, it will be divided equally upon separation.
Unmarried couples are not entitled to the property, inheritance, and spousal support rights of married couples, but they do have the right to enter into an agreement that specifies how these issues are handled. That said, California does place some restrictions on agreements between unmarried couples.
Absence of Common Law Marriage in California The concept of a couple being considered legally married after living together for a specific period doesn't apply here. Despite popular belief, even if you've been cohabiting for 7 years or more, it won't automatically grant you the status of a married couple.
Note that people who are already in a domestic relationship can still get married to each other without being required to dissolve their partnership.
Though California does not recognize common law marriage, that does not mean that you do not have rights. If you are cohabitating with your partner, you still retain individual property rights. However, after a breakup, you will not go through the same property division process as a legally married couple.
The laws allow you to add a new spouse or domestic partner to your policy. They allow you to switch to your partner's policy. They allow you to sign up for a new plan on the marketplace. They don't usually allow you to drop your own coverage without replacing it with your spouse's coverage or a marketplace plan.
Here are some examples: Exclusivity: "We agree to have a monogamous relationship in which we are sexually exclusive. Living arrangements: "We agree to live together. Finances: "We agree to have separate bank accounts. Goals: "We agree to support each other in our career and personal goals.
There is not a specific period that you must live together before you can establish a domestic partnership in California. Any couple who meets the eligibility criteria may register a domestic partnership to receive many of the same rights as married couples.