You share a home, a life, and perhaps even children. You know their coffee order by heart, their deepest fears, and what they want out of life. In every emotional and practical sense, you are a team. Yet, in the eyes of the law, if you aren’t legally married, the two of you are legal strangers. It is a harsh phrase, but it reflects how the legal system operates. The law recognizes biological relatives and legal spouses; it does not recognize devotion, cohabitation, or decades

Losing a loved one is a difficult time, and it can feel overwhelming to manage their financial matters. Among the important tasks is...