Santa Maria, CA asked in Domestic Violence and Family Law for California

Q: is there a way to court order a domestic partner to respond to a notice attesting to their status on the relationship

they have not spoken with me in months and ive been told to just move on but the thing is if I do that and then they decide to come back and im with someone else, then id be considered cheating? even though its been moths, so id want an official statement or something

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: In California, there isn't a specific court procedure to compel a domestic partner to respond to a notice about the status of your relationship. If you're concerned about the implications of moving on, it's important to understand that being in a domestic partnership or a similar relationship doesn't by itself impose legal obligations regarding fidelity, unlike in marriage. If you are in a registered domestic partnership, you have legal methods to dissolve it formally, similar to divorce. If you're not in a registered partnership, the concept of cheating as it applies to marriage doesn't legally apply.

However, if there are shared assets, children, or other joint responsibilities, it's wise to address these matters legally. Consulting with a family law attorney can help you understand your rights and options in your specific situation. Documenting your attempts to communicate with your partner and their lack of response may be useful if legal issues arise later. Remember, each situation is unique, and specific legal advice will be based on the details of your case.

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