A cohabitation contract is a legally binding contract between two people who have a marriage-like relationship but are not actually getting married. Sometimes relationships change. Therefore, a couple may want to change a number of conditions in the cohabitation agreement. As with any legal contract or agreement, the parties to the agreement may make changes to the agreement. To do this, both people must accept the specific changes that have been made. If you wish to change your agreement, Kahane Law`s lawyers can ensure that the changes are made correctly and efficiently. Many couples expect cohabitation contracts to serve the same purpose as marriage contracts because of their similarity. Unfortunately, cohabitation agreements only apply to unmarried life partners. If you are currently protected by such a document and are planning to get married, it is in your best interest to switch to a prenuptial agreement.

A cohabitation agreement is a way to mitigate these disputes and the legal uncertainties associated with them. But a cohabitation contract is a complex document, and the help of a qualified cohabitation lawyer is essential to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. People also refer to cohabitation contracts like marriage contracts, domestic agreements or marriage contracts. These agreements are all similar in use and form. More specifically, a cohabitation contract is a document used for a couple living together or soon together. Neither marriage nor sexual orientation is a factor in these situations or contracts. “Cohabitation” agreements are for common law couples and couples who choose to live together before marriage. Our Kahane Law Office family law lawyers in Edmonton, Alberta are here to help you create or revise your cohabitation agreement. In addition, as a full-service legal firm in Edmonton, we cater to all legal needs that arise. Call us today at 780-571-8463. If you answered these questions in the affirmative: You may need a cohabitation agreement! Other factors may also apply, so make sure both parties get legal advice.

These agreements are less enforceable if they include parenthood or child support. The reason for this is that the court will always consider these things on the basis of the best interests of the children at the time it is before the court. Often, this is difficult to predict years in advance, sometimes before the children are born. These agreements are also less effective if full disclosure has not taken place or if the parties have not received independent legal advice. The applicability of the Agreement may change if circumstances change from the time you enter into the Agreement. B for example, if you sell goods that were listed in the Agreement, or if you place the property in a common name under the Agreement. Family lawyers at Kahane Law Firm in Edmonton understand the complexity of cohabitation contracts in Alberta. We help you understand your rights and obligations, and we protect you and your loved ones in case your relationship ends. Understanding your options is an important part of this process. Therefore, we now look at your legal situation and assess the possible risks to which you and your partner could be exposed on the road. Are you still curious about cohabitation agreements? Contact or visit Heritage Law today for personalized advice from our legal experts. We advise you and adapt your agreement – we can even refer a lawyer to your partner.

Another common situation is when you want to give considerable wealth to married children or enter into a second marriage and preserve your assets for the benefit of your first family members. In these cases, a marriage or cohabitation contract may be important to you. It is very important to know that the law on the distribution of property of unmarried couples has changed significantly as of January 1, 2020. If you are not married but are adult, interdependent and separated partners after January 1, 2020, the distribution of your property will be as if you were married, unless you have a cohabitation agreement. Contact us today and we will help you by preparing the necessary documents to protect you and eliminate the risk of unexpectedly losing some of your assets. As a general rule, if the parties have received full disclosure of the other party`s situation prior to the agreement and appropriate legal advice at the time of conclusion of the agreement, these will be maintained. It should also include conditions that allow you and your partner to modify the contract according to changing circumstances. A clause must be added stating that the contract can be reviewed by one of you upon request. For example, if you both choose to have children but don`t have a clause in the contract that deals with custody of the children, the agreement will likely need to be changed. All significant changes to the contract must be made in writing. You must both sign the amended contract and be witnessed by 2 people and again seek independent legal advice.

You should ask a lawyer to review the original contract and the new contract to make sure that the changes you are making are appropriate and that your rights are protected. Two people who make the decision to live together should make sure they have a cohabitation. The more assets are affected, especially real estate such as houses or land, the more important these agreements are from a financial point of view. Similar to fire insurance for your home, a contract that protects you and your partner is something you should have, but hope you never need. We draft these agreements individually. Each client has their own needs, concerns and personal situation. Cohabitation contracts usually contain a variety of conditions. These include, for example, when the division of assets and debts becomes a legal dispute, both individuals typically pay more attorneys` fees.

A cohabitation agreement reduces the uncertainty and inconsistencies associated with the allocation of these assets and liabilities. Ultimately, couples who don`t have to go to court save time and money. Protracted litigation also entails significant emotional costs; An agreement helps reduce struggle and pain when a relationship ends. These contractual arrangements also protect the rights of all children who have one or both parties in the relationship. Although the content of a cohabitation contract varies considerably from one couple to another, it usually contains provisions for the division of property in the event of separation. A cohabitation contract is similar to a marriage contract, but without marriage. For a marriage or cohabitation contract to be legally binding, it must meet the requirements of the Family Law Act. Whenever you enter into a domestic contract, it is in your best interest to have it reviewed by a competent family law lawyer who fully understands all aspects of the Family Law Act to ensure that your rights are protected and that the agreement is enforceable and achieves what you intend to do. .