Cumbria's Cohabitation Agreement solicitors
If you are part of an unmarried couple living with your partner, protect your future by making a formal agreement regarding financial and childcare arrangements with Brockbanks Solicitors. Visit your local practice, whether in Whitehaven or beyond.
Plan ahead with peace of mind
Choosing to live together is a meaningful step but without legal protection, even the strongest relationships can face uncertainty. A Cohabitation Agreement helps couples define their responsibilities and protect their assets, offering reassurance and clarity for the future. Our experienced solicitors are here to guide you through the process with empathy, care, and professional precision.
This legally binding document outlines how property, income, debts, and responsibilities are shared. It also sets out what happens if the relationship ends, preventing future disputes and offering both parties clear protection.
Giving you the right information
Many people are surprised to learn that couples who live together do not have the same legal rights as those who are married or in a civil partnership. The notion of a “common law marriage” is a myth, leaving cohabiting partners vulnerable should the relationship break down or one partner pass away.
Getting the right agreement in place can give you peace of mind should the unexpected happen. We help couples have open, respectful conversations about their financial expectations and responsibilities, allowing you to negotiate an agreement that considers your real-life and what you contribute to the relationship.
Agreements that work for all
This service is ideal for couples who are planning to live together or already do, regardless of age, background or relationship status. However, they can prove invaluable in situations when:
One partner owns the home
There is a significant imbalance in income or assets
You are sharing children, responsibilities or long-term plans
Either partner has family obligations from a previous relationship
If you’re part of a same sex relationship, we offer LGBT specific services around cohabitation, too. Family law
Frequently asked questions
What is a cohabitation agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a written agreement that can be legally binding when it’s properly drawn up, setting out how you and your partner share property, income, debts and responsibilities while you live together, and what happens if the relationship ends. It gives both of you clarity and protection. At Brockbanks Solicitors, our experienced solicitors guide you through the process with care and explain everything in plain English.
Do we need a cohabitation agreement if we are not married?
It is worth considering, because unmarried couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples or civil partners, and there is no such thing as common law marriage. Without an agreement, one partner can be left vulnerable if the relationship breaks down or one of you passes away. We help couples put the right protection in place for peace of mind.
What should a cohabitation agreement include?
It typically covers who owns or contributes to the property, how bills and debts are shared, and what happens to assets and any shared responsibilities if you separate. It can be tailored to reflect what each of you actually contributes to the relationship. Our team helps you have an open, respectful conversation and turns it into a clear, workable agreement.
Is a cohabitation agreement legally binding?
A cohabitation agreement can be enforced as a contract, provided it has been properly drawn up — ideally as a deed, with both partners taking independent legal advice, being open about their finances, and entering into it freely and fairly. Meet those conditions and a court will generally uphold it, though, as with any contract, it could still be challenged if those safeguards were missing. Having a solicitor prepare it gives it the best chance of being upheld.
When is a cohabitation agreement especially important?
It is particularly valuable when one partner owns the home, when there is a significant difference in income or assets, or when you share children, responsibilities or long-term plans. It also helps when either partner has obligations from a previous relationship. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we’ll help you decide what your agreement needs to cover.
Can same-sex couples have a cohabitation agreement?
Yes — cohabitation agreements are available to all couples, and we also offer LGBT-specific advice around cohabitation. The legal principles are the same, and the protection is just as valuable. Whatever your circumstances, our family law team is here to help you plan ahead with confidence.
For bespoke agreement drafting, get in touch
You can call our main office in Whitehaven on
01946 692194. Our team will be ready to discuss your needs.