People live together rather than marry for any number of reasons.
One of the most important differences between marriage and unmarried cohabitation is that while marriage involves a highly defined set of rights and obligations, unmarried cohabitation does not. While some might say this is exactly the reason they want to avoid marriage, the lack of clear legal rules and built-in protections can result in unpleasant surprises. You may rely on your partner for financial support for many years. These types of problems can be avoided or minimized by, among other things, a cohabitation agreement , proper estate planning , and a power of attorney for health care . You and your partner should openly discuss all of these issues, and take whatever steps are necessary to protect yourselves and make sure your expectations are fulfilled.