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Living with a partner without being legally married? A Bellevue cohabitation agreements lawyer can provide valuable guidance. These contracts provide clarity in a situation that can otherwise become complicated when two people break up. Let a skilled marital agreements attorney at Twyford Law Office help you understand your legal options.
A cohabitation agreement is a contract entered into with a partner you live with but do not intend to marry. This arrangement is now more common than ever, whether two people do not believe in marriage as an institution or are trying out the relationship before committing to marriage.
Ultimately, anyone living with a partner could benefit from the clarity of a cohabitation agreement. They are especially useful for anyone with cash, inheritance, investments, or real property. Having a contract in place is crucial to protect these assets in case of a breakup. This is due in part to the potential legal implications that can come with living with another person, even if you are not married to them.
By entering into a contract, both parties can go into the relationship with clarification on their legal rights and responsibilities. This is generally preferred to leaving important property rights to be decided by a judge after the fact.
There are additional benefits that come from working out these contracts with a partner early on in the relationship. A knowledgeable Bellevue attorney could explain how a cohabitation agreement could benefit your specific situation in more detail during an initial consultation.
Cohabitation agreements are contracts that specify the obligations and duties of two partners who decide to live together. They can set out which party is obligated to pay a certain bill or identify the formal owner of property both parties regularly use.
Some couples use these agreements to outline many of the rights associated with married spouses. This can include things like:
It is best to put these agreements in writing. In some situations, like when they involve real property, putting the terms into writing is mandatory. While many people are not required to commit their agreement to writing, relying on oral arrangements or presumed contracts is a common mistake.
Not all contracts are enforceable. The courts will carefully scrutinize each contract to determine whether it is fair, both substantively and procedurally. It is generally up to the party attempting to enforce the terms of the agreement to prove that the terms are reasonable and enforceable.
Full disclosure is important. If either party can show they did not fully understand the other person’s financial situation due to fraud, they could have a strong case that the agreement is invalid. Our skilled team of lawyers in Bellevue could help you draft a viable and legally enforceable cohabitation agreement.
While living with a partner does not provide you with the same rights married couples enjoy, contractual agreements can close the gap. You are entitled to put an arrangement into writing that sets expectations between you and your partner. Contact a Bellevue cohabitation agreements lawyer at Twyford Law Office to learn about your options.
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