Legal Definitions - CUPOS

CUPOS stands for Cohabiting Unmarried Person of the Opposite Sex.

This term refers to an adult who lives with another adult of the opposite sex, where neither individual is legally married to the other. It is primarily used in demographic studies, legal contexts, or for statistical purposes to categorize household compositions. The key distinction of CUPOS is that it specifically excludes individuals who are legally married, even if they are living with someone else.

• Example 1: Long-Term Unmarried Partnership

  Sarah and Mark have been in a committed relationship for ten years. They own a home together, share finances, and consider themselves a couple, but they have never legally married. In this scenario, Sarah is a CUPOS to Mark, and Mark is a CUPOS to Sarah.

  This illustrates the term because Sarah and Mark are of opposite sexes, they cohabit (live together), and they are not legally married to each other.

• Example 2: Companionship and Shared Living

  After their respective spouses passed away, Mr. Henderson and Ms. Davies, both in their late 70s, decided to share a home for companionship and mutual support, splitting household expenses. They are not romantically involved and have no plans to marry.

  Here, Mr. Henderson is a CUPOS to Ms. Davies (and vice-versa) because they are unmarried individuals of opposite sexes who share a primary residence. This shows the term applies even when there is no romantic relationship.

• Example 3: Practical Roommates

  David and Emily, both recent college graduates, decided to rent an apartment together in a new city to save on living costs while starting their careers. They are friends and have no romantic relationship.

  David is a CUPOS to Emily (and vice-versa) because they are cohabiting, are of opposite sexes, and are not married. This highlights the term's applicability to non-romantic roommate situations where the primary criteria of cohabitation, unmarried status, and opposite sexes are met.