Cohabitation Agreements

Peace of mind from day one of your relationship

A Cohabitation Agreement is a legally binding document entered into by both of you to regulate your affairs in relation to your assets and finances as well as covering children issues if applicable. The agreement covers the time that you are living together as well aa what will happen should you ever part.

Each of you needs an independent solicitor to act on your behalves, but the negotiations and discussions are always conducted in a friendly and non-confrontational way. The details can be dealt with through correspondence or at face-to-face meetings with each party’s solicitors present.

Once put into place, a Cohabitation Agreement means that a court cannot revise any ownership, right of occupation or any other aspect in case of a separation. Difficult though it is, it is wise to give some thought to what might happen should the relationship break down.

There are certain risks in not having a Cohabitation Agreement, such as confusion and misunderstanding. There could be hostility and expensive legal arguments in the event of separation, which can be further compounded if the Court needs to intervene. It can also be the case that without a legal guidance, one party might believe that they have certain rights, when in actual fact they may have none.

As long as both of you are willing to enter into an agreement it doesn’t matter if you are already living together. Cohabitation Agreements can be negotiated and entered into at any time during cohabitation.

The costs of a Cohabitation Agreement will vary depending on the complexity of the assets and issues involved and also the time spent in negotiating the terms of the agreement. McKinnells can provide a fixed-fee service with no hidden extras once we have had chance to discuss your situation with you.

Please contact us or call in for a chat. We will advise you in relation to where you stand, the terms that might be appropriate for your Cohabitation Agreement, and discuss how long it might take to put together.

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