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Cohabitees

Below are readers' questions about 'Cohabitees', which we have chosen to answer. More detailed information on 'Cohabitees', can be found in the 'Cohabitation' section on our main website, Family Law in Israel, http://www.family-laws.co.il/cohabitation-with-agreement, http://www.family-laws.co.il/marriage-options-in-Israel, http://www.family-laws.co.il/cohabitation-inheritance, and
http://www.family-laws.co.il/cohabitation-children and the topic 'Agreements' at http://www.family-laws.co.il/agreements-between-cohabiting-couples. This covers agreements between single-sex couples (homosexuals and lesbians), too.

I live with a guy. We are both Jewish. If we have a child without marrying, will it be a bastard under Jewish law?

No, contrary to popular myth.

I have been cohabiting with my 'ex', without marrying him again. I moved back into the apartment which his parents bought for us when we got married, with our mutual children. It is registered in their name. Recently we split up again, and he left. His parents now demand that the children and I leave. Do I have any rights in the apartment?

No, definitely not. The apartment belongs to your 'ex' in-laws, and  you have no propery rights in it ! Your 'ex' is ,however, obliged to support the children, and to supply their accommodation needs somewhere.

What are the main things I have to prove to be entitled to rights as a cohabitee?

As a rule of thumb, living under the same roof, joint running of a household, and usually intimate relations.

Am I entitled to part of the financial gains the man I live with has made since we have been together?

If you can prove that  you fit into the definition of a 'common-law' spouse or cohabitee, then you should be entitled to a share of the profits arising during the period of your mutual cohabitation.

Am I responsible for the picking up the maintenance tag for a child that the woman with whom I was living had using a sperm donor, if I consented to the process?

Most probably, if you consented to the process, and this can be proved by your signature on medical documentation, and proof can be provided as to your relationship as cohabitees.

My wife separated from me and has been living with another man in his home. Do I have any property rights that my wife might be due to my wife as his common-law wife?

Absolutely not! Although you are still married to your wife , your separation is regarded as the point ending your marital partnership in property. You do not have any claim to any possible rights that your wife may be entitled to vis a vis the man with whom she is cohabiting.