How Cohabitation Solicitors Can Help You
A family solicitor can help you establish your legal rights with your partner through a cohabitation agreement.
In this blog post, we will explain why any time is the right time to create a cohabitation agreement, how it is always a good idea for cohabitating parties and how a cohabitation solicitor can help you, so read on to find out more.
What Is a Cohabitation Agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding agreement. It is a document agreeing to finances, property and children arrangements whilst an unmarried couple is living together. If the two people were ever to split up, become ill or die, the agreement is a good starting point for establishing the intentions of the parties.
When Is the Right Time to Make a Cohabitation Agreement?
Any time is the right time to make a cohabitation agreement with your partner. It doesn’t matter how long you have been together or how long you have been living together. You can even choose to make a cohabitation agreement before you move in together.
Without a cohabitation agreement, you do not have many legal rights, and there could be issues to face down the line if anything were to happen down the line with no cohabitation agreement, there could be some issues to face for you both.
Reasons for a Cohabitation Agreement
A cohabitation agreement is not only for couples who live together but it can also be created between siblings or friends. It is not necessary to be in a romantic relationship, simply living under the same roof is enough.
People find cohabitation agreements useful as they provide more security for those living in the same home and protect them in case of separation, illness, or death.
Cohabitation agreements provide more protection in every aspect of the relationship, from finances to children. Couples who are not married but would like some form of security in their lives and with each other find them useful as they are legally binding.
A cohabitation agreement can also be used in conjunction with a Will if one party in the arrangement was to pass away.
A cohabitation agreement protects you, which is ideal and highly recommended, especially when there is a family or children involved and you want to safeguard their future.
Another example of why many wish to take out a cohabitation agreement includes if a couple is about to purchase a house together. Before purchasing a property, it is a good idea for you and your party to draw up a cohabitation agreement to ensure protection and clarity for both parties.
Having a cohabitation agreement ensures that:
- You have a share of your assets together.
- You have access to each other’s state pension.
- You can have next of kin rights.
- You can legally divide bills and other responsibilities.
How Cohabitation Solicitors Can Help You
A cohabitation solicitor will specialise in the area of family and cohabitation law and will be there to help you create your legally binding cohabitation agreement. They will work by supporting the parties involved and helping them create the agreement, advising how the assets should be owned and divided.
Your cohabitation solicitor will be there to help you in times when you do not wish to or do not have plans to get married, helping you lay down some rights that are recognised by the law in a legal document.
A specialist family law solicitor will be able to ensure that you have your document correctly drafted, covering the matters correctly and which are required.
It is also the role and responsibility of your solicitor to make sure that the final agreement is something that you both want and that the plans made are what you both have gladly agreed to.
When you sit down with your cohabitation solicitor, they may ask you about the value of each of your assets, including investments, savings and pensions, whose name your property is in, along with who has paid for any renovation work on the property. You will also discuss if you have any children together.
How Long Does a Cohabitation Agreement Take to Create?
Your solicitor can advise you on the timeline for completing the agreement. The whole typically takes a few weeks from start to finish. Both parties’ wants and agreements will be reflected in the final agreement.
What Happens If You Do Not Have a Cohabitation Agreement?
You are not entitled to any legal rights if you are a cohabiting couple and do not have a cohabitation agreement with the person you are living with.
If you do not have a cohabitation agreement and are not married, you risk losing protection for your finances, children, or property.
Bell Lamb & Joynson
Speak to us at Bell Lamb & Joynson today if you wish to know more or would like to talk to someone about creating a cohabitation agreement for you and someone you are cohabiting with.
Protect yourself financially and take your relationship seriously with a cohabitation agreement. You never know what the future will hold for yourself, and your cohabiting partner so now more than ever is the right time to create a legally binding agreement.
Our experienced team of family law solicitors can help you create the perfect cohabitation agreement, whether you are not married, in a civil partnership or have not yet moved in together we can help you today. Browse our website for more information and our other legal services.