Colorado Cohabitation Forms – Cohabitation Agreement Colorado
If there are two people living together as if they were a married couple, there are certain agreements they can make that are legally binding. You can read more about the forms online and Download Cohabitation Agreement Forms or Wills for unmarried persons living together here.
What Is a Cohabitation Agreement?
A Cohabitation Agreement, or a living together agreement, is a written contract used by unmarried couples who live together that describes their property rights and financial obligations during the relationship and after it ends.
In particular, the agreement addresses:
- What happens to property you acquired before the relationship if one of you passes away unexpectedly
- How jointly owned property and property acquired during the relationship will be divided if you no longer remain a couple
- How partners will share living expenses
- Any other financial or general expectations you want to put in writing before moving in together
This agreement can help describe how you and your partner will handle your day-to-day finances during the relationship, including how you will divide rent, mortgage, and bill payments. A cohabitation agreement allows you to agree on how your property (including personal items, savings, and other assets) will be split if the relationship breaks down.
As a reference, this document is known by other names:
- Common Law Partnership Agreement
- Cohabitation Agreement for Unmarried Partners
- No-Nuptial Agreement
- Couples Contract
- Relationship Contract
What’s the Difference Between Cohabitation and Marriage?
Refer to the table below to quickly see how cohabitation agreements and marriage differ from each other.
Cohabitation Agreement | Marriage |
---|---|
No requirements. Anyone can create a cohabitation agreement | Numerous requirements which can vary depending on your state, e.g. marriage license, age minimums, a ceremony, officiator, witnesses, etc, |
Can be terminated informally but can have the same emotional cost as the end of a marriage. | Requires the involvement of the court, e.g. legal separation, divorce and can be of great financial and emotional cost. |
Can divide property if outlined in the agreement but requires legal workarounds to have the same property protections as a marriage | Has stronger legal protections in place for the division of property |
Partners can only get financial support if outlined in the agreement | Spouses have a legal right to alimony |
Only the relative of an ill or incompetent partner has the authority to make financial or health decisions on their behalf | Spouses have the authority to make legal decisions for each other if one falls ill or incompetent |
Partners have no inheritance rights unless specified in the deceased’s partner’s will | Spouses have a legal right to inherit a deceased spouse’s property |
The father in a cohabiting relationship may have to prove their paternity through blood tests and legal methods | A father in a marriage has paternity rights by default |
There is no legal obligation for the father in a relationship to support children during cohabitation, but it becomes a requirement when paternity has been proven | The father is legally obligated to support children during the marriage |
The non-custodial parent is not required to support the children if the cohabiting relationship ends unless paternity has been proven | Non-custodial parents is legally obligated to support children if the marriage ends |