Cohabitation Agreement Template for Ireland

A Cohabitation Agreement is a legal contract between unmarried couples living together in Ireland that sets out their rights and responsibilities regarding property, finances, and other shared assets. It works similarly to a prenuptial agreement but applies specifically to couples who share a home without being married.

Under Irish law, these agreements help protect both partners' interests by clearly stating how they'll handle their shared property, debts, and living expenses. They're especially important since unmarried couples don't have the same automatic legal protections as married couples, even after many years of living together. The agreement can cover everything from who owns what percentage of the home to how bills will be split.

Getting a Cohabitation Agreement makes sense before moving in together or buying property with your unmarried partner in Ireland. It's particularly important when you're making unequal contributions to a house purchase, inheriting property, or bringing significant assets into the relationship.

The right time to create this agreement is when both partners are on good terms and can discuss finances openly. Many couples put it in place when making major financial decisions like taking out a joint mortgage, starting a business together, or when one partner plans to financially support the other through education or career changes. Having clear terms in writing helps prevent future disputes and protects both partners' interests.

• Cohabitation Contract: Standard comprehensive agreement covering property, finances, and daily living arrangements between unmarried partners
• Common Law Partner Agreement: Focuses on long-term cohabiting couples' rights, especially those living together for over five years
• Prenup For Unmarried Couples: Detailed agreement specifically addressing asset protection and financial arrangements before moving in together, with emphasis on pre-existing property and inheritance rights

• Unmarried Couples: The primary parties who create and sign the Cohabitation Agreement to protect their interests when living together
• Solicitors: Legal professionals who draft, review, and advise on the agreement's terms to ensure it's legally sound and fair to both parties
• Financial Advisors: Help couples understand and plan the financial aspects of their agreement, including asset division and shared expenses
• Property Professionals: Estate agents and mortgage brokers who often recommend these agreements when unmarried couples purchase property together
• Family Mediators: Help couples negotiate terms and reach mutual understanding before finalizing their agreement

• Property Details: List all assets each partner owns, including property, vehicles, investments, and significant personal items
• Financial Information: Gather details of income, savings, debts, and regular expenses for both partners
• Living Arrangements: Document how household expenses will be shared and who's responsible for what bills
• Future Planning: Outline agreements about property purchases, inheritance rights, and potential relationship changes
• Personal Goals: Note any career plans, education goals, or lifestyle changes that might affect finances
• Document Generation: Use our platform to create a legally sound agreement that includes all these elements in the correct format

• Personal Details: Full names, addresses, and contact information of both partners
• Property Rights: Clear statements about ownership of existing and future property, including the family home
• Financial Arrangements: Details of income sharing, bill payments, and joint account management
• Asset Division: Specific terms for splitting shared assets and debts if the relationship ends
• Living Expenses: Breakdown of household cost responsibilities and payment arrangements
• Relationship Terms: Clear definitions of the relationship status and mutual obligations
• Signatures: Dated signatures of both partners, witnessed by an independent third party

A Cohabitation Agreement differs significantly from a Business Acquisition Agreement in both purpose and application, though both deal with protecting assets and defining rights between parties.

• Legal Context: Cohabitation Agreements operate within family law and protect personal relationships, while Business Acquisition Agreements fall under commercial law for business transactions
• Asset Scope: Cohabitation Agreements cover personal assets, shared living expenses, and domestic arrangements. Business Acquisition Agreements focus on company assets, intellectual property, and commercial operations
• Duration: Cohabitation Agreements typically remain active throughout the relationship, with provisions for relationship breakdown. Business Acquisition Agreements usually conclude once the transaction completes
• Parties Involved: Cohabitation Agreements are between romantic partners living together, while Business Acquisition Agreements involve business entities, shareholders, or company owners