Cohabitation Agreement Template

What Is the Cohabitation Agreement Template?

A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding contract between unmarried partners that establishes property ownership, financial responsibilities, and separation procedures. Unlike marriage, which creates automatic legal rights and obligations, cohabitation provides no default protections. This agreement fills that gap.

This template addresses separate versus joint property classification, shared expense allocation, residence rights, debt protection, palimony waivers, and property division upon separation. It provides comprehensive protections that courts recognize while maintaining the flexibility unmarried partners need for their unique financial arrangements.

 

Is This Cohabitation Agreement Right for You?

You need this agreement if you're:

• Unmarried partners moving in together or already cohabiting
• One partner owns property and the other will live there
• Buying a home or major assets together while unmarried
• Sharing expenses but wanting to keep finances separate
• Concerned about property claims if the relationship ends
• Co-parenting or planning to have children without marriage

You definitely need this agreement if:

• You own assets or property you want to protect
• One partner earns significantly more than the other
• Either partner has substantial debt you don't want to share
• You're contributing differently to shared expenses or housing
• Either partner has children from a prior relationship

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money. Family law attorneys charge $2,000-$5,000+ to draft cohabitation agreements. Our template provides identical legal protections for $35.

Save Time. Consultations, drafts, revisions, and finalizing agreements take weeks. Download this template and complete it within a few hours.

Look Professional. Attorney-quality language with comprehensive provisions, proper legal structure, and court-recognized terms that protect both partners.

Keeps You Out of Court. Article IX's palimony waiver, Article III's separate property protections, and Article VIII's predefined separation procedures prevent costly disputes by establishing clear terms upfront.

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout

Complete your purchase through our encrypted payment system. Instant access to your template upon confirmation.

Step 2: Instant Download

Download your cohabitation agreement template in Microsoft Word format. Compatible with Word, Google Docs, and other word processors.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields

Follow the bracketed guidance and [CHOOSE ONE] options throughout the document. Complete financial disclosure exhibits. Both partners sign, ideally after independent legal review.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Once purchased, you can use this template multiple times, create amended versions as your circumstances change, or start fresh with a new agreement if your relationship situation changes.

Is this contract legally binding?

Yes. When properly executed with full financial disclosure and voluntary signatures from both partners, cohabitation agreements are legally enforceable in all 50 states. Courts uphold them as valid contracts, similar to business partnership agreements.

Does this create a common-law marriage?

No. This agreement explicitly states it does not create marriage, common-law marriage, or any marriage-equivalent status. It's designed to protect unmarried couples who want to remain unmarried but need clarity about property and financial rights.

What happens if we get married later?

The cohabitation agreement typically terminates upon marriage, as marriage creates an entirely different legal framework. You can convert this into a postnuptial agreement by updating the language and having both parties sign the modified version after marriage.

Will this protect my house if my partner moves in?

Yes. Article V establishes that one partner owns the residence and the other is essentially a tenant paying toward housing costs. The non-owner acquires zero equity regardless of how much they contribute, preventing property claims upon separation.

Can my ex-partner sue me for support after we break up?

Not if you've both signed this agreement. Article IX waives all palimony and support claims based on unjust enrichment, implied contracts, or household contributions. This prevents the costly lawsuits that sometimes occur when unmarried couples separate after long-term cohabitation.