Cohabitation Agreements Solicitors
More and more unmarried couples are choosing to live together, but many are failing to recognise their lack of protection if they separate
If living together stops being cosy, we have a plan to protect your interests
Cohabiting couples have very few legal rights compared to those who are married or in a civil partnership, and this means that the risks can be high if the right arrangements aren’t in place. While getting married isn’t for everyone, arranging legal protection if something were to go wrong should be a top priority, particularly if no ‘legally binding’ commitment has been made. This is where our cohabitation solicitors can help.
We’re able to advise you on all of the legal implications of cohabiting, as well as mediating and arranging agreements that provide security for both partners. Until the law catches up with some of the modern ways of living, protecting your interests in the event of a relationship breakdown, must be considered carefully. From cohabitation agreements or a declaration of trust, to defending your interests if you find yourself being unfairly treated, our specialists have you covered.
For farmers, significant assets such as land, livestock and equipment may be involved, adding complexity, should the relationship breakdown. Our cohabitation agreements extend to agriculture matters to provide clear guidelines on how these assets should be managed and divided, ensuring the continued operation of the farm. By outlining the rights and responsibilities of each partner, cohabitation agreements help protect the long-term viability of the farm and prevent disputes that could disrupt operations and succession planning.
Wherever you are on your journey, our legal advisors can help. Call us today on 0330 024 0333 or use the button below to complete our contact form.Our Cohabitation Agreements team
How our Cohabitation Agreements experts can help
Guard against future problems
A cohabitation agreement guards against future problems by clearly setting out the financial terms of your relationship: who owns what, who owes what and who contributes to what.
Protect your wealth
If you have children or personal wealth to protect, such as investments or property, it can help keep them safe.
A legally binding agreement
Our cohabitee agreements are legally-binding and will help to protect your financial interests and can also be used to defend your position should you need to.
Years of experience
Having spent decades representing couples in all aspects of family law – including challenging and shaping the law – we’re experts in getting you the protection you want and need in your relationship.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- We provide more than just legal solutions – your peace of mind is a priority for our cohabitation lawyers, who always take a personal approach to advising clients
- Our team have extensive experience in making legal arrangements for a wide range of cohabiting situations, enabling them to determine the solution that’s right for you
- Having spent decades representing couples in all aspects of family law – including challenging and shaping the law – we’re experts in getting you the protection you want and need in your relationship

Cohabitation Agreements frequently asked questions
A cohabitation agreement (also known as a ‘living together agreement’) is a legally-binding signed document that records the financial arrangements between two or more people who have agreed to live together, either as a couple or otherwise.
A cohabitation agreement will usually address:
- who owns (and owes) what at the time of the agreement, and in what proportions;
- what financial arrangements you have decided to make while living together; such as who will pay the rent, mortgage or household bills; and
- how property, assets and income will be divided if the relationship breaks down.
There are various definitions of ‘cohabitation’. The most common example is where an unmarried couple live together in the same household as their main residence i.e. their post is directed there and the electoral roll has them registered at living at that address.
However, cohabitation doesn’t have to be a ‘romantic’ relationship – a cohabitation agreement can also be valuable for two people who live together, but who are not in a relationship, for example, friends who live together in the same household.
The cost will depend on many factors, such as how many assets there are and how complicated your financial arrangement and agreements are. It also depends on whether the terms of the agreement are reached easily, or whether they are subject to lengthy negotiations.
As with the query above around marriage, the length of an agreement will depend on what is recorded as ‘termination events’ within the agreement. The most common examples include:
- The death of either party;
- The parties’ marriage or civil partnership to each other (or the marriage of one party to a third part;
- Either party serving a notice on the other; or
- Both parties’ written agreement to end the cohabitation agreement.
It is important to discuss and be clear about exactly which termination events you wish to include in your cohabitation agreement.
It reduces the possibility of a dispute – Having a cohabitation agreement in place can avoid the acrimony, costs and the uncertainty of litigation in the event of a dispute. One of the biggest difficulties when cohabiting couples separate is the disagreement on division of their assets. Having a legally binding agreement from the outset can reduce the possibility of a dispute about ownership and contributions if the cohabitation ends.
Flexibility and freedom – Entering into a cohabitation agreement gives cohabitees the flexibility and freedom to organise their financial affairs as they wish, both during and following cohabitation. For example, current legislation does not entitle a cohabitee to make a claim for maintenance, or to claim a share of their former partner’s assets as of right, if cohabitation ends. Therefore, some cohabitees wish to make arrangements to support their spouse financially following the breakdown of their relationship, particularly if they have children together.
Preservation of assets – Where one party wishes to protect property or assets that they already own prior to the cohabitation. This is particularly common in circumstances where parents have gifted, loaned or invested funds to enable a child to make their first property purchase and the child subsequently wishes to cohabit with a new partner in the property. A cohabitation agreement can be a helpful tool in protecting the family money invested in the property.
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How the Cohabitation Agreements process works
Not everyone is aware of how the process of engaging Cohabitation Agreements solicitors works, so we’ve provided an overview below to give you some peace of mind
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The first stage is to get in touch with us using the button below – you will then be assigned to one of our Cohabitation Agreements specialists. Alternatively, you can reach us on 0330 024 0333.
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You’ll then receive a free 15-minute consultation within 24 hours via Zoom or telephone to discuss the issues you’re facing.
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You are then provided with a transparent breakdown of our costs and, if you would like to proceed, we send you a pack of onboarding documents
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Following this, we will guide and support you through the process of achieving a resolution that works for you and your family.
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
Call Us: 0330 024 0333
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