Cohabitation Agreements

A Cohabitation Agreement is a document that sets out what will happen to assets, finances and family if you and your unmarried partner should separate.

It can cover everything from property rights and shared assets to care of children. It is designed to limit unnecessary cost and legal issues following a potential breakup.

People often think that couples who have been living together for a long period of time are ‘common law’ husbands and wives, but there is no such legal status in the Isle of Man. What this means is that in case of separation, cohabiting couples don’t have the same rights and protections as people who are legally married.

Cohabitation Agreements | What we do

These are also known as a living together agreement or contract. We can set out how you and your partner will manage your matters should the relationship breakdown. We can draft a cohabitation agreement with you at any time, and can include the following:

• Comparison of contributions to rent, mortgage or household bills.
• We will document how you will deal with any debts.
• If you own a property, we will detail how each of you have contributed.
• We will look at joint bank accounts and contributions made into them.
• If you have life insurance, are either of you the beneficiary.
• You may also be nominated as a beneficiary under a pension.
• We will look at where you have bought items jointly, such as cars and furniture.
• If you have any pets, who will take responsibility.
• Where there are children invovled, we will look at custody and visiting rights.

If this is something you wish to consider further our family team would be happy to help.

Talk to us today
If you need to talk to someone about a cohabitation agreement then take the first step and contact us. You can email [email protected] or call us on 01624 639350 to arrange your free consultation with us today.

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