Local Law Blogs

Governor Corzine Prohibits Enforcement of Palimony Agreements Unless in Writing

By Megan E. Smith

On his last night as Governor of the State of New Jersey, Governor Corzine has supposedly signed into law a bill prohibiting the enforcement of "palimony" agreements unless such agreements are in writing (S-2091/ACS for A4296, 3833 [Scutari, Cardinale, Stender,Carroll/Stender, Carroll]).  The passage of this bill has an important impact on non-dissolution family law, where persons in long-term committed relationships sans "marriage" had the potential to make a palimony claim based upon a promise to support if the relationship went south.  While palimony law is primarily contract based, the new bill will require any such "promise to support" to be set forth in writing.  It will be interesting to see if a mere letter or email will meet this new requirement or if same will be reduced to terms similar to pre-nuptial agreements.
 

Full post as published by New Jersey Law Blog on January 19, 2010 (boomark / email).