Property Rights of Cohabiting Adults
CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled 4 to 1 that property gained by unmarried, cohabiting adults must be considered community property subject to equal division.
The high court ruled in favor of Lois Michoff, holding that she was entitled to half of the property earned by Max Michoff during the nine years they lived together.
The couple set up a construction equipment rental business in Carson City and agreed they would share ownership of the firm. They also filed joint tax returns as husband and wife for several years, although they were never married.
“Unmarried couples who cohabit have the same rights to lawfully contract with each other regarding their property as do other unmarried individuals,†Justice Cliff Young wrote in the majority decision.
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