We Live Together Without Paperwork: How Do We Give Our Relationship Legal Security?

Construir uma vida a dois sem formalizar nada pode gerar dúvidas sobre bens, direitos e proteção de quem você ama; estamos aqui para esclarecer com calma.

This page is a translation of the original Portuguese text, provided for convenience. It deals with Brazilian law. If there is any discrepancy, the Portuguese version prevails. Read the original in Portuguese

What a stable union is

A stable union (união estável) is a public, continuous, and lasting partnership between two people who intend to build a family. It is recognized by the Federal Constitution and the Civil Code and, as a rule, does not require any specific document to exist: what defines it is the reality of the life you share. Even so, formalizing the relationship brings more clarity and helps prevent disputes down the road.

Living under the same roof is a strong indication, but it is not a requirement. What matters is the relationship as a whole: being treated as a couple by family and society, stability over time, and the intention to maintain a shared life project.

What rights a stable union typically involves

Recognition of a stable union can have significant effects for a couple. Among the points that are commonly assessed are:

• Property regime: in general, partial community property applies, meaning assets acquired during the relationship tend to be divided between the partners. A different regime can be set by contract.
• Succession and inheritance: a partner may have inheritance rights, depending on the legal rules and the specific circumstances.
• Support (alimentos): depending on the circumstances, partners may owe each other financial support.
• Social security and contractual protection: the relationship may matter for benefits and for being included as a dependent in certain contexts.

Every situation is unique, and the effects depend on the facts and the documentation available.

How to make your relationship legally secure

There are different ways to record and protect your life together, and the right choice depends on the couple’s goals:

• Public deed of stable union: a declaration made before a notary office (cartório) that documents the existence of the relationship and can set the property regime.
• Cohabitation agreement: a document in which the partners arrange the financial and property aspects of their life together.
• Judicial recognition: used when there is a disagreement or when the union must be proven for a particular purpose.

Talking through these options in advance helps align expectations and avoid conflict.

What to gather before seeking advice

Organizing a few documents and pieces of information makes it easier to analyze your case:

• Personal identification documents for both partners.
• Proof of a shared address or records showing that you live together.
• Information about assets acquired during the relationship, with approximate dates.
• Records that show the relationship, such as photos, income tax returns listing your partner, joint accounts, or a shared health plan.
• The date the relationship began and any periods of separation.

Gathering this material ahead of time allows for a more accurate and less stressful assessment of the options available to protect the couple and the family.