Arizonans Redefining the Meaning of Family
Recent Census results show that Arizona's definition of what makes a "family" is expanding.

October 27, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The concept of what constitutes a "family" continues to evolve throughout the country, and the changes in Arizona family identities became abundantly clear during the 2010 census. While married couples without children still make up nearly half of homes in Arizona, the number of so-called "traditional" families -- where a married couple lives with their minor-age children -- has decreased in the last ten years. Increases have been seen in households with just one adult living alone and in multi-generational homes where adult children and their parents share a home.

Cohabitation Causing Changes

Much of the decrease in traditional nuclear families has been brought about by a huge bump in the number of couples cohabitating, both with and without children. Economic woes, job loss, debt, other financial factors and personal choices have many couples steering clear of the legal ramifications of marriage, instead just building a life together without taking that traditional next step. Some of them are taking steps to protect their legal rights, though, by entering into cohabitation agreements. These agreements -- best handled by a skilled family law attorney who can ensure that each party's rights are protected and that the agreement is a fair one that will stand up in court if necessary -- are ideal for cohabitating couples who each provide income, assets or funds to the common household.

Same-Sex Households on the Rise

While Arizona has one of the highest gay populations in the country (according to census data, anyway), same-sex couples with or without children still make up less than one percent of the state's households. Even so, the number of same-sex homes has increased 36 percent since the last census in the year 2000. As same-sex households become more common, so do the adoption of children by these couples; the expanding definition of family arrangements around the country has made it possible for single parents and same-sex couples to adopt where they might not have been allowed previously.

What Do I Do if...?

Whether you are in a traditional family or a non-traditional one, it is likely that you will face a family law-related legal issue at one time or another. If you have questions about anything from divorce to grandparents' rights or same-sex adoption to child support, seek the counsel of a skilled family law attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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