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Family & Personal

Cohabitation Agreement Template

Unmarried couples have very limited automatic legal rights if they separate. A cohabitation agreement records how you'll share property, finances and responsibilities, giving clarity and protection.

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What this cohabitation agreement covers

When you need a cohabitation agreement

The legal framework

Understanding the law behind a cohabitation agreement helps you use it well. Here is the key UK legislation that applies:

Law of contract & trusts of land
A cohabitation agreement is a contract; property shares are also affected by the law of trusts (TOLATA 1996).
No 'common law marriage'
Cohabiting couples have no automatic rights on separation regardless of how long they have lived together, making a clear agreement valuable.
On the horizon. Reform to grant cohabitants greater statutory rights has been discussed for years but is not in force; current law gives cohabitants very limited automatic protection.

Frequently asked questions

Do cohabiting couples have legal rights?

Very limited ones. There's no such thing as 'common law marriage' in England and Wales, so an agreement is valuable.

Is a cohabitation agreement enforceable?

A properly drafted agreement, entered into freely with full disclosure, is likely to be upheld, especially on property and finances.

How Legal Lift helps

Answer a few plain-English questions and our AI generator produces a tailored cohabitation agreement, ready to edit, download as PDF or Word, and e-sign with LegalSign. Every template is kept current with UK law, and our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are available if you'd like it reviewed.

This page explains the law in general terms to help you understand your cohabitation agreement. It is information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific circumstances, our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are here to help.

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