Cohabitation Agreements Solicitors
Expert solicitors to arrange Cohabitation Agreements for unmarried couples living together
Safeguard your future together with a Cohabitation Agreement
As cohabitees, you’re likely sharing a home, a life, and many important decisions. While love and trust are at the heart of your relationship, you should both protect your financial future with a cohabitation agreement. A clear agreement means that your legal rights are safeguarded, allowing you to enjoy peace of mind without worrying about uncertainties that might arise later.
What is a Cohabitation Agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding document that sets out your financial arrangements as a couple living together. Unlike married couples or civil partners, cohabitees do not automatically have legal rights to each other’s property or finances, unless they are both named on the legal title to a property, for example. A well-structured agreement can outline how property, assets, and finances should be handled during the relationship and in the event of a separation.
Creating a cohabitation agreement doesn’t mean you’re planning for the worst; it’s about taking sensible steps to protect your future together. At Gough’s, our experienced cohabitation solicitors are ready to help you create a comprehensive cohabitation agreement that suits your unique needs. Whether you’re protecting property, sharing assets, or planning for the future, our cohabitation solicitor team can guide you through the process with expert advice on cohabitation law.
Why choose Gough's as your Cohabitation Solicitors?
With a wealth of experience in cohabitation law, we ensure you always receive expert advice tailored to your situation. Every couple is unique, and so is every cohabitation agreement we draft, providing a truly personalised service. Our proactive approach keeps us up-to-date on changes to cohabitation rights and legislation, including the cohabitation rights bill, so you’re always fully protected.
Do I need a Cohabitation Agreement?
If you’re living with a partner without being married or in a civil partnership, a cohabitation agreement can be one of the most important legal documents you put in place. While it may seem unnecessary or even unromantic, the reality is that cohabiting couples in England and Wales do not have the same legal protections as married couples. Without a cohabitation agreement, you could face serious financial and legal challenges if your relationship ends.
By addressing key legal and financial considerations now, you can focus on enjoying life with your partner.
Is a Cohabitation Agreement right for me?
A cohabitation agreement is particularly important if:
- You and your partner are purchasing property together.
- You are making uneven financial contributions or have other shared assets owned in different proportions.
- You have children or plan to have children.
- You want to avoid legal disputes and ensure financial clarity.
Having a cohabitation agreement provides peace of mind for both parties. It’s an essential document for protecting your financial future and ensuring that, should your relationship come to an end, you have clear guidelines in place to handle property and finances fairly.
Speak to a solicitor
Whether you some questions that you would like a solictor to answer, or need to instruct a solicitor, Goughs are here to help. You can call, email or come into one of our seven offices.
Call us
With seven offices around the South West of England, we have multiple offices you can call.
Email us
If you would like to drop us an email you can on info@goughs.co.uk
Visit us
With offices in Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge, you can pop in and see us. View office locations.
Your Cohabitation Agreement questions answered
Cohabitation refers to a couple living together in a long-term relationship without being married or in a civil partnership. While cohabitees share a home and many aspects of life, they do not have the same legal rights as married couples, which is why it’s important to consider legal protections such as a cohabitation agreement.
Proving cohabitation usually involves demonstrating that two people are living together as a couple. Evidence such as shared bills, joint tenancy or mortgage agreements, bank statements showing shared finances, or letters addressed to the same home can be used to show cohabitation.
Currently, there is no specific law that grants cohabiting couples the same rights as married couples or civil partners. This means that cohabitees have no automatic rights to property, finances, or inheritance unless explicitly arranged through legal agreements like a cohabitation agreement.
One of the main dangers of cohabitation is the lack of legal rights. Without a cohabitation agreement, cohabitees may face difficulties in dividing property or assets if the relationship ends, as they may have no automatic rights. This could lead to financial insecurity, especially for those who have made significant financial contributions, but are not named on the legal title to the property. Additionally, there are no rights to spousal support or automatic inheritance unless legal arrangements are made.
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Your Cohabitation Agreement team
Why work with Goughs?
Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation
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Largest solicitors in Wiltshire
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