Cohabitation Agreement

A Cohabitation Agreement is a written contract between unmarried partners who live together, outlining financial arrangements and property rights. Since unmarried couples lack the legal protections that marriage provides, this agreement specifies how assets and debts will be divided if the relationship ends, how expenses will be shared during the relationship, and what happens to jointly owned property. The agreement can address ownership of real estate, division of household expenses, bank accounts, debt responsibility, and support obligations if the relationship ends. It cannot dictate child custody or support, as courts retain authority over child-related matters. Cohabitation agreements are particularly important when partners have disparate incomes or assets, own property together, or have children from previous relationships.