By Fun-ebi Manager
Couples may choose to live together without getting married. They share expenses, purchase property, raise children, and build long-term lives together. This arrangement works well for many people, but it can create legal uncertainty if the relationship ends or one partner dies. Without clear planning, disputes may arise about property ownership, debt, and financial support. A cohabitation agreement allows couples to address these issues while the relationship is stable. It sets expectations, reduces uncertainty, and helps both partners understand their rights and responsibilities from the outset.
A cohabitation agreement is a written contract between unmarried partners who live together or plan to live together. It sets out how the couple will manage finances and property during the relationship and what will happen if the relationship ends.
Couples use cohabitation agreements to clarify ownership of property brought into the relationship, responsibility for expenses and debts, ownership of property acquired together, and what will happen to the home and other assets in the event of separation. The agreement can also address support and shared purchases such as vehicles, furniture, or pets.
Many people assume that living together creates the same legal rights as marriage. It does not. The rights of unmarried couples depend on specific facts, including, but not limited to, how property is owned and how expenses are paid. A cohabitation agreement reduces uncertainty by setting expectations early, protecting both partners, and limiting disputes if the relationship ends.
Cohabitation agreements are important when one partner owns a home or has considerable assets, the couple plans to buy property together, or there is a significant income difference. In these situations, unclear arrangements can lead to disputes about ownership, contributions, or support. A cohabitation agreement allows couples to define these issues in advance. They also help in blended families, where one partner has children from a prior relationship, or where one partner expects an inheritance or family gift. In these cases, a cohabitation agreement can protect assets and clarify how household expenses will be shared. Even couples with simple finances can benefit. A cohabitation agreement provides certainty, reduces reliance on assumptions, and helps couples avoid conflict later.
Couples should consider a cohabitation agreement whenever they move in together, particularly when property, income differences, children, debt, or family assets are involved. A cohabitation agreement does not signal an expectation that the relationship will end. It provides clarity, protects both partners, and supports informed decision-making.
This article is for information only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions or would like further information, you should consult a lawyer.
