Domestic Agreements
Domestic Agreements
Domestic agreements are written agreements such as separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, and pre-nuptial agreements made between two partners in a relationship. This relationship can be a marriage, common-law or for a couple who are about to get married.These agreements allow couples to address the issues that may arise during the breakdown of a relationship
Cohabitation Agreements
Common-law spouses can formulate a cohabitation agreement, which is deemed to be a marriage contract after the spouses get married legally.
Pre-Nuptial Agreements
A contract made between two spouses before they get legally married is called a pre-nuptial agreement.
The Prenuptial agreement mentions how these issues will be dealt with during their relationship and in the event of their separation or death of a partner. These sort of agreements are made due to many reasons such as
- One spouse wants to protect their assets coming into the relationship in the event of separation
- Either of the spouses has a big business or property which they wish to safeguard
- Either of the spouses has other commitments or children from the previous relationship whom they want to safeguard
Separation Agreements
Separation agreements required when a couple may decide to separate and end their relationship. In this case, they will need to make important decisions on matters including:
- Which spouse will stay in the matrimonial home
- Decisions regarding where the children will live
- In case of separation, decisions on the parenting plan for the children.
- All financial support matters including child and spousal support and
- Division of property and all other marital assets
- Whether or not to go for divorce and which spouse will file for it
Enforceability of domestic agreements (separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, and pre-nuptial agreements) is depends on certain rules including:
- Both spouses need to understand the agreement completely
- Complete and accurate information and full disclosure of assets and liabilities must be present.
- The agreement should be signed by both the spouses
- It should not be unfair on either of the spouses
- Both spouses need to sign the agreement.
- The signature of the spouses must be witnessed
A properly drafted agreement allows the parties to retain control over major decisions in their lives during this difficult time. If parties cannot agree on these issues, a court may decide the issues on behalf of the parties. This can result in an arrangement that satisfies neither party.
While parties may come to an agreement on their own, enlisting a lawyer’s services in the preparation of a separation agreement or cohabitation agreement can protect the agreement from legal challenge in the event of a dispute. At LAW WISE, our lawyers work with you to create an agreement that suits your individual needs.
How Our Family Lawyers Can HELP you?
Our Family Lawyers start by obtaining full disclosure from both parties and ascertaining your goals. We keep your goals and your legal rights at the forefront while negotiating the terms of your agreement with the other party. Once all the terms have been agreed upon, our firm experienced family lawyers will draft your agreement and provide it to you for your review. If changes are required, we revise the agreement and provide it to you and the other party to sign.
You should always obtain independent legal advice from a competent family lawyer before signing any contract, including a separation agreement or cohabitation agreement or pre-nuptial agreement. A written agreement becomes legally binding once it has been signed by both parties, witnessed, signed by the witnesses, and dated.
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