Before signing a national contract, it is important that any person is required to obtain independent legal advice to ensure that they understand the terms of the agreement and, in particular, how what they have agreed may differ from their rights under the law. On 11 February 2013, Defence Minister Leon Panetta presented a memorandum (theme: extension of benefits to national partners of same-sex military personnel) which sets out the benefits to be provided to members in the framework of national partnerships. [34] New benefits made available to gay and lesbian members include: The State of California has developed an online self-help center that provides resources and information to assist national partners in many areas, including filing national partnerships, dissolving national partnerships, education issues, tax issues and more. Or, to take another example, a woman who engages in a common law relationship, whose partner has orally promised to share all her property with her when the relationship ends, could ensure that this is done by preparing a concubine agreement that says just that. If you marry your partner after living together, your life contract will become your marriage contract. With respect to a separation agreement, the court could consider the following: According to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, “The term `national partner` was first used in 1982 in a complaint filed by Larry Brinkin, a member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Mr. Brinkin, then an employee of the Southern Pacific Railway, had recently suffered the loss of his eleven-year-old partner.