Stephensons’ specialist cohabitation solicitors are able to advise and assist you and your partner should you wish to draw up a cohabitation agreement. Whether you are about to move in together or you are already in cohabitation our solicitors can advise you of your options and the type of items you should include in your cohabitation agreement.

The practical guidelines laid out in a cohabitation agreement will make clear for both parties what will be expected of them should the relationship breakdown in the future. This could save thousands of pounds in legal fees in the future. As the law does not currently recognise a ‘common law marriage’ it is important to consider what you would want to happen should you separate from your partner or in the event ether of you passed away.

Our cohabitation solicitors are also able to advise if you have already separated and agreed with your ex-partner how you will divide your finances as it is important to record this in a legal document to prevent any problems arising in the future.

Contact us to arrange your free initial appointment.

Each cohabitation agreement will be different but some of the things you should consider are:

• Would you like the agreement to be legally binding or a statement of expectations?
• Does there need to be a transfer of property?
• Property - either acquired during the cohabitation or owned individually at the beginning of the relationship
• Individual debts
• Inheritance and Wills
• How will disputes be resolved?
• What length of time will the cohabitation agreement cover?

Should your relationship breakdown and you and you ex-partner are unable to resolve any arising disputes amicably it is important that you have a cohabitation agreement in place which meets the correct legal criteria and expert advice should be sought from the outset to ensure that both parties are protected to the fullest as whilst Courts are showing more willingness to consider cohabitation agreements there is still no guarantee that they will enforce one.

Areas of specialism

• Cohabitation agreements
• Cohabitation disputes
• Property advice
• Financial advice