Attorneys See an Increase in Cohabitation Agreements

As more people live together before marriage, the need for prenup-like agreements is increasing. A survey of divorce attorneys shows that 39% have seen a rise in the number of cohabitation agreements. These agreements protect property for people living together without legally recognized marriages. About 30% of these attorneys said that a majority of cohabitation agreements are for same-sex couples. With cohabitation agreements, these couples can spell out their legal rights similar to couples with legally recognized marriages.

See Leanne Italie, Unmarried Couples Opting for a Pre-nup, Associated Press, Feb. 15, 2011.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (WealthCounsel) for bringing this to my attention.