Cohabitation Agreements

Many unique and non-traditional family arrangements exist in the world today, from non-married parents to same-sex relationships. Whether a couple chooses not to get married or simply legally cannot do so, there are options for protecting the financial and property interests of both parties involved.

In 1998, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that “unmarried cohabitants may lawfully contract concerning property, financial, and other matters relevant to their relationship.”

A cohabitation agreement, also known as a living-together contract, is a document that defines the terms of a relationship and often addresses the division of finances and property should the relationship end.

A non-marital cohabitation agreement is meant for use by non-married couples who are living together. It assists in planning for the sharing of living expenses while the couple is living together, the division of joint property upon termination of the relationship, and the retention of separate property acquired before and after the end of the arrangement.

If the two individuals eventually marry, the cohabitation agreement will no longer be valid.

Contact an attorney at Rauseolaw for more information concerning cohabitation agreements. Call your Middlesex and Essex County divorce attorneynow for a free consultation