Life Partner
Our Definition
a person with whom one has the intent of a long-lasted and intertwined committed relationship. Often, but not always, the relationship is sexual and/or romantic in nature. A life partner need not necessarily be a spouse, though most often a spouse is a life partner.
Real Life Examples
Bert and Ernie live together and share a bank account.
Irone, Jacquetta and Philomina have lived together for 10 years as a triad, and have adopted 7 chinchillas together.
Beaufort and Langley are not romantically or sexually involved but have decided to be life partners, registering as domestic partners and filing taxes together.
Common Practices &
Experiences
Everyone is different! You'll see this repeated throughout our website and glossary. Common practices and experiences for life partners include, but certainly aren't limited to:
- A high degree of commitment to being together for the future.
- Making plans together such as a 5 year plan towards your shared goal of buying a ranch in Montana.
- Making reproductive or family planning decisions together.
- Being legally and financially entangled either through marriage or other binding contract such as owning property together.
- Deciding to share a surname, sometimes one partner changing their name to another’s, sometimes with all partners taking a new surname.
Got a beef with our definition?
Of course we don't speak for everyone! If you feel we are missing additional info, context, facts, history, or data, please email us and let us know!
While we can't promise every suggestion will make it, we'll always be working to keep this glossary thorough and inclusive!