San Antonio, Texas Cohabitation Agreements Attorney

Lawyer Helping Unmarried Couples in San Antonio Create Cohabitation Agreements

Unmarried couples who choose to live together often share finances, property, and other assets, making legal protections essential. In Texas, a cohabitation agreement can clarify each party's rights and responsibilities, helping to prevent disputes should the relationship end. Without such an agreement, cohabiting partners may face significant legal and financial challenges, particularly when dividing shared assets or debts

Attorney Brandon Wong has more than 15 years of experience assisting clients in San Antonio with cohabitation agreements and other family law issues, ensuring that their interests are protected. Whether a couple is looking to formalize financial arrangements, protect assets, or establish clear expectations, Brandon Wong is here to provide strategic solutions.

Key Elements of a Cohabitation Agreement

A well-drafted cohabitation agreement can address several important legal and financial concerns. Some of the key provisions typically included in these agreements are:

• Property Ownership: Clarifying which assets belong to each partner and how jointly owned property will be divided in the event of a separation.
• Financial Responsibilities: Defining how household expenses, mortgage or rent payments, and other financial obligations will be handled.
• Debt Allocation: Specifying which partner is responsible for shared or individual debts, including loans and credit card balances.
• Inheritance Rights: Addressing estate planning concerns, such as whether a partner will receive property or financial benefits upon the other's death.
• Dispute Resolution: Establishing a process for resolving financial or property-related disputes without the need for litigation.
• Support Arrangements: Outlining whether one partner will provide financial support to the other in the event of a separation.

Attorney Brandon Wong ensures that each agreement is carefully drafted to reflect the unique needs of his clients, minimizing the risk of future legal disputes.

Why Cohabitation Agreements Are Important to Establish

Texas does not recognize common-law marriage simply because a couple has lived together for a certain period. Instead, a couple must meet specific legal requirements to be considered common-law married. Without a legally valid cohabitation agreement, a partner may have no legal claim to assets or financial support if the relationship ends. This can create significant financial hardships, particularly for long-term partners who have shared expenses and property for years.

A cohabitation agreement provides essential legal protection by establishing clear expectations and ensuring that both parties understand their rights. It can prevent misunderstandings, reduce the possibility of financial disputes, and provide stability for both partners.

Complex Issues in Cohabitation Agreements

Division of Shared Property

When couples purchase property together, determining ownership and how the property will be divided in the event of a separation can become complicated. Without an agreement, one partner may claim full ownership of certain assets, leaving the other at a disadvantage. Attorney Brandon Wong helps clients establish clear property rights in cohabitation agreements to prevent disputes.

Debt Responsibility and Credit Issues

Jointly held debts, such as mortgages, car loans, or credit card balances, can lead to disputes if they are not properly addressed. A cohabitation agreement can specify which partner is responsible for certain debts, preventing one party from being unfairly burdened.

Business Ownership Considerations

Some cohabiting couples run businesses together, making financial concerns and ownership issues even more complex. A well-drafted cohabitation agreement can outline each partner's financial contributions and ownership percentages, and it can detail what will happen to the business if the relationship ends.

Enforcing a Cohabitation Agreement in Texas

For a cohabitation agreement to be legally enforceable, it must be properly drafted and signed by both parties. Courts will generally uphold these agreements if they are fair and if both parties entered into an agreement voluntarily. However, an agreement may be challenged if:

• One partner claims they signed under duress or coercion
• The agreement is deemed grossly unfair or unconscionable
• There is evidence of fraud or misrepresentation

Attorney Brandon Wong ensures that cohabitation agreements are legally sound, properly executed, and designed to hold up in court if challenged.

Contact Our San Antonio, TX Cohabitation Agreements Lawyer

If you and your partner are living together and want to protect your financial and legal interests, attorney Brandon Wong is here to provide you with experienced legal guidance. Contact Brandon Wong & Associates at 210-201-3832 or online to schedule a consultation.