They moved in. Now make it both of yours.

It usually has the opposite effect. Doing this signals that your partner isn't just contributing to your home – you're building a life together. It's how you make sure the relationship feels equal even when only one of you owns the property. If you'd like help thinking through how to raise it, our free consultation is a good place to start.

It's not too late. The longer you leave it, the more your partner's contributions go unrecorded. Doing it now means agreeing while you're both on the same page, not when something like a baby, a renovation or a property purchase forces it.

A legal document for couples who live together. It sets out how you manage your finances, property and shared life – and what you've agreed about how to handle bigger changes as they come.

A declaration of trust is a focused document that records how a property is owned between you - specifically what share each person holds. It's a snapshot, fixed at the point you buy.

A cohabitation agreement is broader and more forward-looking. It covers property too, but also bills, savings, debts, shared purchases and how you'll handle changes over time — like a renovation, a shift in income, or buying somewhere new together. It captures the whole picture of your life together, not just one aspect of it.

Think of the cohabitation agreement as the bigger framework, with the declaration of trust sitting underneath it to record the property shares specifically. We offer cohabitation agreements as part of our service. We can also signpost you to appropriate providers should you decide that you would also like a Declaration of Trust. If you're not sure what you need, a Living Together Planning session is a great place to start

Yes. The agreement can record both the starting position and contributions made since they moved in – renovations, shared bills, mortgage contributions. 

Yes. A cohabitation agreement isn't limited to legal ownership. It records contributions and agreements between both of you regardless of whose name is on the mortgage.

Cohabitation agreements are treated as contracts under English and Welsh law. Courts consider whether both of you entered the agreement freely and understood what you were signing. Our process is designed around exactly those principles.

Our service is only available to couples in England and Wales – the law works differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so this service wouldn't be the right fit for you. If you're based outside England and Wales, we'd recommend finding a family law solicitor in your area who can help.