Family law · Vancouver
Cohabitation Agreements in Vancouver
Fixed fee from $2,000 plus tax
In BC, couples who have lived together for two years are generally treated as spouses, so property can be divided and support claimed if you separate. A cohabitation agreement lets the two of you decide those things in advance, while you are getting along.
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Your lawyer
Gareth Round
I have practised law for more than a decade, first in New Zealand and now in British Columbia, and my practice is family law.
I have seen how agreements are challenged in court, so I know what makes one hold.
An agreement says nothing bad about your relationship
Think of it as the relationship equivalent of wearing sunscreen: it protects you from getting burned and doesn't ruin the vibe.
The Benefits
Why get one?
A cohabitation agreement can help you:
01
Decide what happens to property and support if you ever separate
02
Protect money that came from parents, inheritances or savings built up before the relationship
03
Record who owns what, including the home and anything you each bring into it
04
Agree how bills and household costs will be shared
05
Settle all of this now, while everyone is calm and caffeinated
Fixed fee
What does it cost?
We charge a fixed fee, so you know the cost before any work begins. All prices are plus tax.
independent legal advice
One of you will also need independent legal advice before signing. That advice is provided separately with an independent lawyer who explains the agreement and checks that you understand it and are signing freely. This protects you both, because an agreement made with proper disclosure and independent advice is much harder to challenge later. The lawyer giving independent legal advice will charge separately for their service.
Work out your fee
Fixed fee
How it works
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1
First call
You get in touch with us, or we receive a referral, and we have an initial call to find out what you need.
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2
Questionnaire
We send you a comprehensive questionnaire. Each of you makes choices about what you want in the agreement, and the form raises issues you may not have thought of.
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3
Review meeting
We meet again to go through your answers. We give you a list of financial disclosure to exchange with each other.
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4
Drafting
We prepare the agreement based on your choices and the disclosure.
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5
Advice and signing
Your partner receives independent legal advice from one of our trusted partner firms, and you sign.
Three weeks
If you both return the questionnaire and exchange disclosure promptly, we can usually have you ready for independent legal advice within three weeks.
Get in touch
Ready to take the next step?
Give us a call or fill out our online form. It's easier than deciding whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher.