Cohabitation is living together and having a sexual relationship without being married.
In New York, cohabitation refers to a couple living together in a long-term relationship that resembles a marriage, but without the legal formalities of marriage. New York does not recognize common law marriage, which means that no matter how long a couple lives together, they do not acquire the legal status of being married unless they actually go through a formal marriage ceremony. However, cohabiting couples in New York can still have rights and obligations, especially if they have cohabitation agreements in place. These agreements can outline financial arrangements and property rights, but they must be in writing to be enforceable. Without such agreements, upon the dissolution of the relationship, individuals may not have the same rights to property division or support as they would if they were married. It's important to note that while cohabitation itself is not illegal in New York, certain benefits and legal protections are reserved for legally married couples.