Cohabitation Agreements for Unmarried Couples

Living together — or buying a home together — without being married? A written agreement protects you both and spells out what happens if the relationship ends.

We draft cohabitation agreements for couples in The Villages, Lady Lake and Mount Dora.

Why it matters in Florida

Unmarried partners don’t have the protections of divorce law

Florida doesn’t recognize common-law marriages created in the state after 1967, and unmarried partners generally have no right to alimony or equitable distribution. If the relationship ends, what each person keeps depends largely on how property is titled — and on any written agreement you’ve made.

Ownership of a home or other property you buy together
Who pays the mortgage, rent, and shared expenses
How joint accounts and debts are handled
Protection of each person’s separate assets
Planning for your pets — who keeps them and who covers their care — in the event of a breakup
What happens to shared property if you separate — or if one of you dies

Pair it with an estate plan

Unmarried partners don’t inherit from each other under Florida law without a will, trust, or beneficiary designation. A cohabitation agreement works best alongside a coordinated estate plan.

Flat fee: $1,995. One set price for your cohabitation agreement, so you know the cost before any work begins. Schedule a free 15-minute assessment →

Questions

Cohabitation Agreements FAQs

Are cohabitation agreements enforceable in Florida?

Written cohabitation agreements are generally enforceable as contracts, as long as they are entered into voluntarily and are based on lawful consideration. Having the agreement in writing is essential.

Does Florida recognize common-law marriage?

Florida doesn’t recognize common-law marriages entered into in Florida after January 1, 1968, though it may recognize a common-law marriage validly created in another state that allows it.

What if we later get married?

Your cohabitation agreement doesn’t automatically become a prenuptial agreement. If you plan to marry, a prenup should be prepared to address the marriage.

Do we each need our own lawyer?

An attorney can represent only one of you. Independent review for the other partner is recommended.

Protect what you’re building together

Schedule a free 15-minute assessment to discuss a cohabitation agreement.

Schedule an Assessment Schedule a Free 15-Minute Assessment

Prefer to talk? Call (352) 434-0222 or text us — after-hours messages are answered the next business day.

This page is general information, not legal advice. The flat fee for a cohabitation agreement is $1,995. Contacting Tevuna Law Florida does not create an attorney-client relationship.