Cohabitation Agreements Cohabitation Agreements

DO I NEED A COHABITATION AGREEMENT?

A cohabitation agreement is a It is highly advisable for each party to consider whether they wish to protect their written legal agreement between individual contributions to any joint property a couple who live together, before moving in together and decide how they would wish for any assets to be divided but are not married or in a civil upon separation. It is not a legal requirement partnership. The agreement for unmarried couples to have a cohabitation agreement; however cohabiting couples do outlines what will happen to not have the same rights or protections as each party’s individual assets, people who are legally married. their joint assets, and sets out A cohabitation agreement is a cost effective the financial arrangements for way to avoid acrimonious litigation should the relationship break down and the any children, if a couple parties are in disagreement over how the should separate. assets should be divided and what financial obligations there are towards any children of the family.

WHAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN A COHABITATION AGREEMENT?

A cohabitation agreement is particularly A cohabitation agreement can include things important if the parties make unequal such as: contributions towards the purchase of • What will happen to the parties’ home the property and/or the outgoings on the GET IN TOUCH property. A cohabitation agreement will offer should the relationship breakdown and peace of mind and protection by helping to what share of the property would be If you require any further avoid confusion about what will happen to retained by each party. advice about a cohabitation agreement or require advice joint property and other assets in the event • What each party will contribute to on obtaining a pre-nuptial of a relationship breakdown. household bills such as rent, mortgage agreement, please contact and utilities. us on 0345 20 73 72 8 or • How other financial matters will be email [email protected] dealt with such as joint bank accounts or pensions. • What financial arrangements should be made for any dependent children. • What would happen to items you have bought as a couple.