Cohabitation
Cohabitation is when a couple live together, with or without children, but are not married. A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding document that sets out how the finances and property should be divided if your relationship breaks down.
If you share a family home, or you have children together, or you wish to leave property or assets to your partner, you should consider taking at least one of the following actions:
- Enter into a legally binding cohabitation agreement with your partner
- Make a will, which includes provision for the survivor, and if there are dependent children, appoint a guardian
- Enter into a declaration of trust setting out the parties’ respective interests in the jointly held property
- Nominate each other as beneficiaries under insurance policies and pensions
- Realise that living together does not in itself give rise to legal rights