We will produce a cohabitation agreement tailored to your individual needs that will provide you with peace of mind.

Current Jersey law can cause cohabiting families to face real difficulties should they split up.

Cohabitation Agreements

A cohabitation agreement will provide you with peace of mind, should things go wrong. Under Jersey law unmarried couples have no legal rights if they separate.  As a result, some cohabiting families can find themselves facing real difficulties should they split up. As it stands the only solution for cohabiting couples who want legal protection should they split up is either to get married or enter a civil partnership, or to enter into a cohabitation agreement.

Because of Jersey’s rules regarding residential status, it is becoming more common for only one partner to be named on the deeds. If a cohabitation agreement is not in place, then the person in whose name the property is in had the rights to the property which will cause issues especially where the other partner has contributed towards the property and expects to have an interest.

Therefore, by coming to an agreement before or whilst you are living together, you will:

 

  • have a clear understanding of what your financial commitments are
  • avoid misunderstandings regarding your rights and responsibilities as you continue to live together, in particular with regards to ownership of property
  • avoid disagreements if you split up
What is a cohabitation agreement?

A cohabitation agreement is a contract between unmarried couples who are living together. The agreement can set out the ownership of existing assets and how your assets will be dealt with should you later split up.

What can a cohabitation agreement cover?

Each cohabitation agreement is different and its content will depend on your individual circumstances. That said, there are a number of things you should consider covering:

  • the ownership of property including property owned before living together and property bought while living together
  • how household bills will be dealt with, in circumstances where you and your partner are not joint owners of your home or situations where one partner contributes more than the other
  • movable assets such as bank accounts, pensions, house contents, pets and how they should be dealt with
  • payment of debts

When drawing up the co-habitation agreement, you will both need to seek independent legal advice to ensure that there is no doubt as to what you are agreeing to.

Our highly experienced family lawyers are experts in this field and have helped many couples setting up home, or already living together, to draw up agreements that are tailored to their own individual needs. Contact our family team today.

What our clients say

“Careful consideration and time …”

Thank you for steering the dispute to family foundation, something my ex-partners legal advisor should have requested form the outset as a first step. A summons to Royal Court would have been a very bad situation for all parties.

I thank you for your careful consideration and time.

Family Law March 20, 2023

“Relief is an understatement …”

Thank you for the decree absolute from Natalie. Relief is an understatement! Thank you to both of you [Natalie and Catia] for all your work, understanding, compassion and support through the most awful of times.

Family Law July 18, 2022

“Huge thank you …”

Huge thank you to you Natalie and your colleagues involved with my separation agreement and making things so simple and fast in what has been a difficult time. I look forward to receiving my updated draft Will for my perusal and finalisation.

I will certainly recommend you to everyone and I have told my daughter to contact you re her Wills as she has now been waiting 9 months with numerous chaser e mails to another firm and still nothing to sign!

Family Law July 13, 2022

“Thank you so much …”

Just a quick note from me, thank you so much for all your help on this Natalie.  I appreciate I have probably been quite persistent (putting it kindly) in contacting and requesting updates and appreciate how you have handled this and dealt with the stressful situation last week.

Family Law October 25, 2021

“I am so very grateful …”

Thank you so much for all your help Natalie.  You are making this incredibly difficult time far easier and for that I am very grateful.

Family Law May 11, 2021

“Thank you so much ….”

Thank you so much for your kindness and professionalism today. You made a difficult day much easier.

Family Law October 29, 2020

“Natalie and the team worked together seamlessly …”

‘Natalie and the team worked together seamlessly as a team for me consciously keeping my costs throughout as low as possible, whilst at the same time in my opinion giving me the best advice and always making sure I understood any ramifications of our decisions. They were at all times extremely kind, friendly, polite and punctual and the time spent in the offices was always friendly and not intimidating at all, almost family like. Legal 500 2021 client testimonial 

Family Law October 1, 2020

“I think the key is the whole firm feels like a real team …”

‘Parslows were head and shoulders the friendliest and most welcoming, right from their receptionist’s warm welcome. The whole team instantly realised my position and distress, they put me at ease and explained the best way forward and the likely costs moving forward. After walking into their firm a complete mess I left feeling a lot happier and comfortable that we could all work well together, I have been working with them now for over a year and simply can’t praise them enough. I think the key is the whole firm feels like a real team.’ Legal 500 2021 client testimonial 

Family Law September 14, 2020

“Thank you again for getting me home …”

The move went well despite the Covid situation and to have my family with me is great.  Thank you so much for getting me home.

Family Law August 3, 2020

“You make an awesome team …”

I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate all your and Natalie's hard work. You make an awesome team and I can’t thank you enough.

Family Law June 15, 2020

“A very well deserved thank you for all the work …”

I’ve never really given a thank you that was deserved for all the work carried out by Parslows and the efforts that you put in over the full duration of the case. Your patience during some very tedious moments, advice and with support from the team throughout, was very much appreciated.

Family Law February 24, 2020

“Will utilise your services in the future …”

Thank you to the Parslows team for the services they have provided to me over the last 12 months. Will utilise your services in the future (hopefully not necessary) if and when required. Have a lovely weekend.

Family Law November 18, 2019

“I would recommend you to anybody going through the same proceedings …”

I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your work on this case, it has been painful to say the least but I couldn’t fault you Natalie for your ongoing support.  I would recommend you to anybody going through the same proceedings.

Family Law November 5, 2019

“No praise high enough …”

I  can't thank you and the team highly enough for all you have done. In a few weeks I’ll be back again as I want to make a new will. But really…. without you and the team I would been been totally lost. There is no praise high enough for you all.

Family Law October 10, 2019

“Thank you for making this possible …”

Thank you for making this possible. You and Natalie and everyone at Parslows have been wonderful over this long and at times rather traumatic 16 months.

Family Law September 25, 2019

“Efficient and professional …”

Thank you for your services ..... I have been very pleased with the efficient and professional service which you provide.

Family Law July 2, 2019

“Thank you for your continued help …”

Thank you for your continued help and support in this matter and thank you to the family team.

Family Law May 10, 2019

“You were amazing …”

Hi Natalie, honestly thank you so much for today, you were amazing and got every point over perfectly! Hopefully some positive steps forward but watch this space!

Family Law April 29, 2019

“You are a credit to your industry …”

Thank you for getting me to this point. Your help and support has been paramount in getting us here.  You are a credit to your industry.

Family Law September 27, 2018

“You are an absolute star …”

You are an absolute star. I wouldn’t have done this without you.

Family Law July 23, 2018

“I took your advice … he has paid all maintenance owed ….”

Just a quick update regarding my problem with my ex paying the maintenance he owed.  I took your advice and contacted a debt collection agency which we use in work.  Today he has paid all maintenance owed and agreed to increase his maintenance payments to the correct amount.  I am in shock!  I wanted to thank you for your advice and for taking the time to help me I really appreciate it.

Family Law July 2, 2018

“Gratitude for your professionalism and conduct …”

I am whole heartedly relieved with final closure and agreement of the proposed settlement offer. Please can I extend my gratitude for your professionalism and conduct in reaching the final outcome.

Family Law February 15, 2018

“You’ve really helped in so many ways …”

Thank you very much [Natalie], and thank you again for all your help, advice, patience and guidance over the last year or so. You’ve really helped in so many ways and it really is appreciated.

Family Law November 27, 2017