Cohabitation Agreements

A cohabitation agreement is a document drafted under the guidance of a family law solicitor, designed to protect the rights of a cohabiting couple should their relationship break down.

It is a popular myth that unmarried couples who live together acquire, after a certain length of time, the same rights as married couples. In fact, this is not the case, and the oft-cited ‘common law marriage’ has not existed in the UK since 1753. As a result, upon separation, many unmarried yet cohabiting couples find they have no rights to child or home maintenance, inheritance or an automatic right to a share of property acquired during the relationship.

Whilst it may seem like an uncomfortable subject, if you and your partner are cohabiting it is necessary that you establish your rights within the law via a cohabitation agreement. Such an agreement could potentially help you avoid long, drawn out legal issues should your relationship run into difficulties, regarding shared property or child maintenance.

Cohabitation agreements are often relatively informal, and can cover a diverse range of subjects such as:

• The division of any property owned prior to the relationship
• Inheritance, Wills, and how you wish to provide for your partner
• Whether you wish to pool your income into a joint account, or keep it separate
• Whether you intend on having any children, and how they will be educated

On a well-drafted cohabitation agreement, financial and property issues can sit comfortably alongside the division of household chores.

PHR Solicitors – Cohabitation Agreement Specialists

Should you choose PHR Solicitors to prepare your cohabitation agreement, our family lawyers will make themselves available throughout the drafting process, and will address any concerns or queries which arise. Wherever you’re located throughout the Liverpool, Birkenhead or Merseyside area, we are here to help.

Contact us today for free legal advice regarding cohabitation agreements or the financial issues arising from cohabitation, call freephone 0800 781 3894 or complete the enquiry form on the ‘contact us' page.