Cohabitation agreements

Fewer couples are choosing to marry and entering long term relationships akin to a marriage without the formalities. Many wrongly assuming that they have the same rights as a legally married couple. Some may enter their relationship knowingly not wanting to create a financial relationship.

Others may be friends or relatives buying a property together because it is the only way they can afford to get on the property ladder.

The circumstances for any joint owners of property are always relevant to how a dispute between them is resolved. However, dispute can be avoided if at the time of purchase of a property, or upon commencement of a cohabiting relationship, the parties enter into a formal agreement setting out the terms of their expectations.

A cohabitation agreement can record the terms of ownership of a property and, if unequal, in what shares it is owned; state how much each party will pay towards the mortgage and household running costs; detail who brought what contents to the property and how joint items would be divided and include information for the parties intentions in the event of death.

Allington Hughes’ family law specialists can advise cohabiting couples of the benefits of entering into a cohabitation agreement, tailoring the advice and creating bespoke agreements for the individual needs of the client.

If you need advice regarding co-habitation agreements  or any other Family Law matter then please contact 01978 291000 or 01244 312166 for more information or to arrange an initial free chat with one of our solicitors. Alternatively, please email: [email protected]