Cohabitation Agreements
Cohabitation Agreements are governed by State Law and are called Domestic Relationship Agreements in New South Wales.
A Domestic Relationship Agreement is an agreement in writing made between people who are intending or already living together. There is no distinction made between heterosexual or gay couples. If you intend becoming a married couple a Prenuptial Agreement is the most appropriate agreement for you.
Discussing a Domestic Relationship Agreement can be daunting as it may challenge the status quo of the relationship, however if you can discuss the more challenging aspects of your relationship such as how to distribute any assets or liabilities if parties separate or how to dismantle the relationship then you can put any agreements reached into writing – a Cohabitation Agreement. This means that you can have a legal document that sets out you mutual wishes allowing for some predictability.
If you are interested in discussing cohabitation agreements, please feel free to give us a call.
Family Lawyers
LAC Lawyers have a team of lawyers with the experience in family law cases that you need to get the best outcome. The following is a selection of our currently practicing family lawyers.
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Legal Practitioner Director
Family Lawyer Sydney
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Family Lawyer Sydney |
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Family Lawyer Melbourne
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Family Lawyer Melbourne
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You only want the best for your family. LAC Lawyers have proven experience in family law, and will help you get the outcome you want. For more information about cohabitation agreements, call LAC today on 1300 799 888 (Sydney) or 1300 734 638 (Melbourne).

Cohabitation Agreements Articles
Family Law - Binding Financial Agreements - Pre-Nuptial Agreements - Will a court enforce a BFA that is a bad bargain for one of the parties?
Date: January 11, 2012
Author(s): Patrick Mulligan B.A., LL.B.
This case concerned a couple that entered into a biding financial agreement (BFA) after they separated. They were married for 17 years. They entered into the BFA after they separated in 2007. The relevant clauses of the agreement provided that the home was estimated at $750,000 provided that repairs were undertaken. The husband had to undertake the repairs which were estimated at around $31,000.
Family Law - Binding Financial Agreements - Spousal Maintenance Provisions - The power of courts to order spousal maintenance regardless of binding financial agreements
Date: November 29, 2011
Author(s): Patrick Mulligan B.A., LL.B.
Family Law - Binding Financial Agreements - some Frequently Asked Questions
Date: November 08, 2011
Author(s): Angelita Manlangit LL.B.
A Binding Financial Agreement is a written contract between two individuals who are either married or in a de facto relationship. It contains a reached agreement between two parties in relation to their finances, division of assets and financial resources and other issues such as spousal maintenance and property settlement in the event of a marriage breakdown.
Family Law - Hidden Assets: How can the law protect you?
Date: November 08, 2011
Author(s): Angelita Manlangit LL.B.
Obtaining a property settlement due to divorce can be a very complicated procedure which often causes great angst and stress amongst all parties involved. Our Family Law Solicitors understand that as a result, people are often led to hiding their assets, in order to ensure that their former partner does not receive a just and equitable amount. However, this is a breach of their statutory obligations to make a full and frank and disclosure and our Family Law Solicitors will ensure that all information are brought to the table by your former spouse.
Family Law - Property Financial Statements
Date: November 08, 2011
Author(s): Angelita Manlangit LL.B.
In financial cases, parties are required to file a financial statement with their initiating application. A financial statement contains a detailed summary of an individual's financial condition. The parties must also file an amended financial statement later in the proceedings if their circumstances change.
Family Law - Property Settlement Proceedings
Date: November 08, 2011
Author(s): Angelita Manlangit LL.B.
The parties to the marriage are under a legal obligation, under the Family Law Rules, to try and resolve and differences between them by way of an alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADRs may include negotiation, family counseling, conciliation or arbitration. In the event that ADR is unsuccessful, try writing to the other party, setting out your claim and perhaps making proposals for settlement.
Family Law - The legal rights of de facto couples versus married couples
Date: December 20, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
Since June 1999 the term De Facto has been used to describe the relationship between the two adults (over the age of 18 and including couples of the same sex) who...
Family Law - What is Child Support?
Date: December 08, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
When families go through changes and parents separate as a result thereof, arrangements are made for the continued care, welfare and development of the children of the family. These arrangements normally are made for children until they reach an age of 18 years. This payment arrangement for the children is referred to as child support.
Family Law - Binding Financial Agreements, are they necessary?
Date: October 08, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
Binding Financial Agreements can be made either before, during or after marriage. These agreements take account of property settlement, payment of spousal maintenance, division of superannuation funds, etc when a marriage comes to and end. Both parties are required as a prerequisite to obtain independent legal advice prior to entering into a binding financial agreement in writing.
Family Law - Rights v Interests: the family law experience
Date: October 07, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
When you first see your family lawyer, there’s a jumble of information you need to provide and even more information for you to receive. You’re understandably emotional and perhaps confused about what lies ahead for you.
Family Law - Binding Financial Agreements Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
Date: June 15, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
If you’ve recently entered a new relationship, have been in a new relationship for a time, or are considering ending your relationship, you should consult a lawyer to learn your rights and obligations under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (‘the Act’).
Family law - Spousal relationships - What's the law got to do with it?
Date: June 15, 2010
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
Whether your new spousal relationship is a married, de facto or same sex relationship; at the beginning, consideration of the law is the last thing on your mind.
Property Law - Family Law - The concept of joint land ownership when family relationships break down.
Date: May 17, 2010
Author(s): Michael Pickering B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., M. A.
Joint land owners hold land either as joint tenants or as tenants in common. Joint tenancy is far more common. Through this method of ownership, the interests of one spouse or partner are deemed by law to flow automatically to the surviving spouse or partner irrespective of whether the deceased spouse or partner has left a will or other testamentary document.
Family Law - De Facto Spousal Maintenance
Date: August 17, 2009
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
A recent development in de facto family law has seen an expansion of the eligibility of parties in Australia to spousal maintenance. Pursuant to the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and other measures) Act 2008 (Cth), a person of a de facto relationship that separated on or from 1 March 2009 may be entitled to receive spousal maintenance.
Family Law - Assets - disputes
Date: August 04, 2009
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
Australasian family law cases concerning a party’s initial contributions, or separate property, brought into the relationship appear far from clear when settlement is litigated in court.
Family Law - Marriage Separation or the break down of a long term de facto relationship is always difficult. At LAC Lawyers we can guide you through the legal process
Date: May 19, 2009
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
Separation is a major step for everyone. It's a time when you need help and information. Most people admit feeling the worst they have ever felt in their life. Should you and your partner decide to separate, it is vital that certain immediate decisions will need to be made in relation to the children and your finances. It is at this stage that you should seek legal advice about your situation, and here at LAC Lawyers, our experienced solicitors can guide you through this sometimes traumatic and cumbersome process, as painlessly as possible!
Family Law - Pre-Nuptial or Co-habitation Agreements
Date: January 22, 2009
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
We are increasingly being asked to prepare financial agreements for couples who are about to “take the plunge” or “walk down the aisle”. However, financial agreements are also available for couples who are living together whether or not they are married, and for couples who have separated.
What to expect when you call LAC Lawyers
Date: December 13, 2006
Author(s): LAC Lawyers
LAC Lawyers is a full service firm dedicated to the provision of superior legal services in Australia. Our aim is to provide unrivalled client satisfaction coupled with high quality service and advice. When you call LAC Lawyers our friendly reception staff will spend time with you to identify the area of law your enquiry relates to then pass you on to one of our qualified solicitor's who can help you.