Committed Intimate Relationship

A "Committed Intimate Relationship" is a moniker given by the Washington courts to a "stable, marital-like relationship where both parties cohabit with knowledge that a lawful marriage between them does not exist."    Five factors are relevant:  (1) continuous cohabitation, (2) duration of the relationship, (3) purpose of the relationship, (4) pooling resources and services for joint projects, and (5) the intent of the parties.    

According to the January-May 2012 Washington State Courts Report thirty-nine of the 17,456 domestic filings in Washington Superior Courts were "committed intimate relationship" cases: twenty-five in Western Washington and fourteen in Eastern Washington.   Two of filings went to trial:  one in Thurston County and the other in Snohomish County.

There have been four recent appellate opinions dealing with these type of cases.   They make for interesting reading, particularly if you're in such a relationship or contemplating one.   

•  Tatham v Rogers __WnApp __ (Div III, 8/14/12)  
  

  Committed Intimate Relationship, with a small town twist.

• Marriage of McCarthy __WnApp __ (Div III, 08/21/12, Unpublished)  
  Husband appeals property distribution after finding of committed intimate relationship.
• Finch v Weider__WnApp __ (Div I, 9/17/12).  
  Oral agreement rebuts property presumption in  committed intimate relationship.  
• Kelly v Moesslang__WnApp __ (Div III, 9/18/12)  
  Three year statute of limitation applies to suit alleging committed intimate relationship.