Living together without being married or in a civil partnership can leave couples exposed if circumstances change. Many people assume they have legal rights simply by sharing a home but in England and Wales this is not the case. A cohabitation agreement provides clarity, certainty and protection for both partners by setting out how finances, property and responsibilities are handled during the relationship and if it ends.
At Holland Family Law, we help unmarried couples put clear legal arrangements in place through carefully drafted cohabitation contracts. Our solicitors work with clients across England, offering practical advice that reflects real life and protects what matters most to you.
Book a confidential 30-minute consultation to discuss your cohabitation agreement options.
What Cohabitation Agreements Cover
Property Ownership and Living Arrangements
A cohabitation agreement can confirm who owns a property, how mortgage payments are treated and what happens if the relationship ends. This is particularly important where one partner owns the home or where contributions are unequal.
What Happens If You Separate
The agreement can outline what happens if the relationship comes to an end, including how property is dealt with, whether one partner will remain in the home and how shared items are divided.
Financial Contributions and Shared Expenses
We help record how day-to-day expenses, bills and joint purchases are managed. This avoids uncertainty later and ensures both parties understand their financial responsibilities from the outset.
Children and Practical Arrangements
While child arrangements are always decided in a child’s best interests, a cohabitation agreement can include practical intentions around housing, costs and everyday responsibilities.
Protecting Pre-Existing Assets
If one or both partners are bringing assets into the relationship, a cohabitation agreement helps protect those assets and reduce the risk of later disagreement.
Formalising these arrangements early can prevent uncertainty and costly disputes in the future.
Savings, Assets and Personal Property
A cohabitation contract can set out how savings, investments and personal belongings are treated, helping prevent disputes about ownership if you separate.
STEP ONE
Initial Consultation
We begin with a confidential 30-minute discussion to understand your circumstances, your concerns and what you want your cohabitation agreement to achieve.
STEP TWO
Advice and Strategy
Your solicitor explains your legal position and drafts a cohabitation contract tailored to your situation, ensuring it reflects your intentions clearly and fairly.
STEP THREE
Ongoing Legal Support
Once both parties are satisfied, the agreement is finalised. We can also advise on independent legal advice for each partner to strengthen the agreement’s reliability.
Our approach is straightforward, practical and focused on long-term clarity rather than unnecessary complexity.
Who We Help
Our solicitors support a wide range of clients, including:
- Couples planning to move in together
- Partners buying a property jointly or in one name
- Individuals protecting savings, property or family assets
- Unmarried couples with children
- Partners who want certainty without marriage
- Couples separating without a clear financial framework
We tailor every cohabitation agreement to the people involved. No two relationships are the same and your agreement should reflect that.
Book your Free No-Obligation 30-minute consultation today – Expert Legal Support is just a call away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to Holland Family Law
If you’re unsure about your rights, dealing with a dispute or need legal support around your child’s arrangements, we’re here to help. Speak to a child law solicitor and book your 30-minute consultation today.