Recent Posts in Cohabitation Agreements Category

To continue on with the previous article involving divorce facts and myths, following  are a few more common facts and myths to entertain.

Myth:  living together before marriage is a good way to reduce the chances of eventually divorcing.

Fact: Numerous studies have found that those who live together before marriage have a greater chance of eventually divorcing. The reasons for this are not particularly understood. Some think there is evidence that the act of living together itself generates attitudes in people that are more conducive to divorce, namely the attitude that relationships are temporary and  can be easily ended.

 Myth: Dissatisfaction and unhappiness in the marriage at certain points in time is a good sign that the marriage will eventually end in up divorce.

Fact:  The larger majority of marriages have ups and downs; this is a normal part of  life. One cannot expect every day to be a good day. According to recent research using a large national sample, it was  found that 86 percent of people who were unhappily married in the late 1980s, and stayed with the marriage, indicated that they were happier when interviewed five years later. Three fifths of the formerly unhappily married couples rated their marriages as either "very happy" or "quite happy."

If you are experiencing unhappiness in your marriage, speak to a Jacksonville family law attorney who has an experienced and caring hand in these matters. To set up a consultation contact us at  904-638-3134.

According to a report by the National Marriage Project, the number of unmarried couples who live together is on the rise.

Between 1960 and 2008 “unmarried cohabitation” increased more than twelvefold. The term unmarried cohabitation is applied to couples who “are sexual partners, not married to each other, and sharing a household.”

Unmarried cohabitation is becoming more and more common, particularly among young couples. The report estimates that about ¼ of unmarried women between ages 25 and 39 live with a partner, and that another ¼ of women have lived with a partner at some point in their life without being married.

The study also states that more than half of first-time marriages are preceded by the couple living together first. Fifty years ago almost no couples lived together before getting married.

The state of Florida still does not recognize common law marriages . What does this mean for you?  This means that if you and your partner have chosen not to get married, but want to remain committed to each other, you will need to speak with an attorney about how you can protect yourself in the event that something happens to your partner.

Jacksonville family law attorney Scott Ellerin respects all types of relationships, and is committed to helping you find the best solution for you and your partner. If you and your partner live together but simply do not want to get married, you should consider drafting a cohabitation agreement .  In a cohabitation agreement you can include specific instructions for how you wish your property and assets to be divided and allocated in the event you become incapacitated or you pass away.  A cohabitation agreement can also include how joint property will be divided and split in the event that you and your partner decide to break up. 

Consult an Experienced Attorney about Drafting an Agreement

Without a cohabitation agreement in a place, a messy and drawn-out legal battle could ensue following an injury, illness, death, or separation. Take initiative and protect yourself, your rights, and your future by consulting an attorney about drafting a cohabitation agreement.  As an experienced Jacksonville family law attorney, Scott Ellerin has helped many clients draft cohabitation agreements customized to their specific needs, and would be more than happy to provide the same service to you.

To begin, please contact the law office of Scott Ellerin today or simply click here to fill out an online case evaluation .