I’m in an intimate relationship(s) and need a contract

Whether you’re living together, getting married, or are already married, a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement for common-law couples provides much-needed clarity on how assets and income will be treated should the relationship change. Yes, it can be a difficult conversation to have. We’re here to not only make it easier, but to come to an agreement that truly protects your finances and your relationship.

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OUR APPROACH

We don’t just serve you with a template, nor do we hand you a Hollywood-style “prenup” with scary terms. We get to know you and your partner, and develop an agreement that everyone feels is reflective of their goals. Our priority is always to protect your relationship,

Putting your Relationship to Paper

Everyone has different needs when taking their relationship to a new level of commitment. Below are some of the reasons you might consider a marriage contract or cohabitation agreement.

Person signing a contract

Who Should Consider These Agreements:

You have children from a pre-existing relationship

You have extensive family wealth or a trust

You own property, or are contributing different amounts to a new property

You own a business

You want to clarify support or property rights if you separate

You’re consciously entering into a non-monogamous (e.g., polyamorous) relationship

Process Options

Depending on your circumstances, you could need either a marriage contract or a cohabitation agreement. These are popularly known as a prenup, but we use different language and terminology in the Canadian legal system.

Marriage Contract

If you’re getting married or are already married, a marriage contract could outline how assets may be divided or which assets won’t be shared, as well as what support might look like or whether there will be support at all, should the relationship change.

Cohabitation Agreement

If you are not married, a cohabitation agreement can provide the same clarity that a marriage contract does. If you ever do decide to get married, the cohabitation agreement can then become a marriage contract.

FAQs

  • No. If you are entering a relationship with relatively similar incomes, neither of you own real estate or a business, or there are no children, it may not be needed. We are happy to speak with you about whether we recommend having an agreement.

  • Yes. Full financial disclosure is required in order to ensure that the agreement is durable.

  • No. We are committed to creating an agreement that meets your and your partner(s) goals, and is durable and sound. We feel every person’s needs are unique and want to ensure that we are not short-changing on quality.

  • No. These agreements need to be agreed upon by both parties. No one should be forced to sign. In fact, doing so can cause issues to the durability of the agreement as it could be seen as signing under duress.

  • If you are engaged, we recommend you start well before your wedding date. We do not want to sign too close to your wedding for duress purposes, but also because it’s a busy time for you. If you’re buying real estate, you should start before your property closes. If you are moving in together, before then, if possible.

Book an Intro Call

We look forward to speaking with you to learn more about you and your family, see if we can assist, and help you decide what process may be best.