Living Together Agreement Advice Now

Living together agreement advice now

As more and more couples choose to live together before marriage, it’s become increasingly important to consider a living together agreement. A living together agreement, also known as a cohabitation agreement, is a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of couples who live together but are not married. Here’s some advice on how to create a living together agreement that works for you and your partner.

1. Identify your goals

Before you start creating your agreement, it’s important to identify your goals for the document. What issues do you want to address? Do you want to protect your assets? Do you want to establish expectations for household responsibilities? Do you want to plan for the possibility of a breakup? Knowing your goals will help you create a living together agreement that’s tailored to your specific needs.

2. Discuss the issues

Once you’ve identified your goals, you and your partner should discuss the issues you want to address in your living together agreement. Some common topics include: how household expenses will be divided, how property and assets will be distributed if you break up, how debts will be handled, and how decisions about healthcare and end-of-life care will be made.

3. Get legal advice

Creating a living together agreement is a legal process, and it’s important to get legal advice to ensure that your agreement is valid and enforceable. A lawyer can also help you identify any issues that you may not have considered, and can help you negotiate and draft the agreement.

4. Be open and honest

Creating a living together agreement requires honesty and transparency. It’s important to be open and honest with your partner about your expectations, goals, and concerns. This can be a difficult process, but it will help you establish a strong foundation for your relationship.

5. Review and update your agreement

Your living together agreement should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it still meets your needs. If your circumstances change (such as if you have children or if one of you receives a significant inheritance), you may need to update your agreement to reflect those changes.

In conclusion, creating a living together agreement is an important step for couples who are living together. By identifying your goals, discussing the issues, getting legal advice, being open and honest, and reviewing and updating your agreement, you can create a document that protects your rights and helps you establish a strong foundation for your relationship.