Many couples across Pennsylvania and the United States have decided to forgo marriage and live together.
“It’s just a piece of paper,” some say.
That marriage license is an important piece of paper, however – one that spells out the obligations and rights for both partners in the relationship. But there’s nothing that says unmarried people who live together can’t have a piece of paper to protect them in a relationship, too.
It’s called a cohabitation agreement, a nonmarital agreement – or, put more casually, a living together contract.
It’s similar to a prenuptial agreement in that it cements how both the couple’s assets and debts will be shared should a relationship end. But it also lays out obligations during the relationship.
These contracts are appropriate for long-term relationships, where couples might have large joint assets or accumulate debt together, such as buying a home.
A nonmarital agreement should address topics similar to the following:
Before merging your assets with a partner, signing a cohabitation agreement could be an ideal way to put all fears and “what ifs?” to rest. A Pennsylvania attorney versed in family law can discuss with you the pros and cons and what such an agreement should include.
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