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As hard as it is when you are 20-something or 30-something, we all need to know what to do if we invest emotions and money in a partner, then lose them.  

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Knowing that families might not be supportive, and most familys haggle over possessions even when there is a male/female marriage, it's important to make sure that, if you are really bonded, you have mutual ownership and plans.  I think that a lawyer is needed.

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Marriage helps but isn't everything.  I'm no expert.  I lost my partner 20 years ago, and wound up on my own with far less than I had before I met him.  It was more complicated than that, but for a while I was homeless.  I never saw his family members again.  To my family, my partner was "just a friend".  The grieving was in isolation, and I buried myself in work and studies.

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Life does go on, if you make it and let it.  It's hard to think about these issues when you are in the midst of it.  I wound up moving to a different city, I did not date, and was celibate for a couple of years - no interest in sex - but finally moved on.  My partner and I have gone to a lawyer, and drawn up agreements.  The mortgage is in`my name, because we got a VA loan (I am a veteran), but in every place possible, he is named the beneficiary.  My state has domestic partner law, so e did that as well.  Having gone through that loss, I think I am more flexible in this partnership than I otherwise would have been.  For me at least, having someone "imperfect" - as we all are - is much preferable to having someone "perfect" - who is far from it - and losing it all.

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Rambling as usual.