Fillable Printable Model Cohabitation Agreement for Domestic Partners - South California

Model Cohabitation Agreement for Domestic Partners - South California

Model Cohabitation Agreement for Domestic Partners – Parties to Share

Residence, Earnings and Accumulated Property – Support Provisions

Editor’s Note:

This agreement is designed for use by two persons of the same or opposite

sex(es) who desire to establish and maintain a non-registered cohabitation

relationship in which one person financially supports the relationship and the other

renders various homemaking services. Exhibits listing any assets currently owned

and obligations currently owed by each party should be attached to the agreement

(see Paragraph 3).

The form generally provides that the parties will jointly own any property

acquired during the relationship (see Paragraph 4). The form also contains an

optional paragraph for use if one of the parties already owns a residence and the

parties agree that any increase in value occurring during the relationship is to be

shared (see Paragraph 5). The signatures of the parties are acknowledged by a

notary public.

This form may also be modified to serve as an agreement between two

unregistered persons who are either (1) both gainfully employed and intend to

share jointly accumulated property, or (2) both gainfully employed and intend to

share only household and related expenses.

Two alternative support provisions provide for the financial support of one

party to the relationship. One provision requires that the gainfully-employed party

support the other party after the relationship ends. This provision protects a party

who has, perhaps, foregone educational and career opportunities for the sake of the

relationship and who depends on the earnings of the other party to the relationship.

The second alternative also provides that the gainfully-employed party is to

provide the other party with support; however, the obligation to provide support is

to continue only so long as the cohabitation relationship continues. This alternative

also includes a provision that the parties disclaim any right to support after the

relationship ends.

FORM

UNREGISTERED DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP COHABITATION AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made on _________________ [date] between _________________

[name of first party] (First Party or identify by name) and _________________ [name of

second party] (Second Party or identify by name).

Recitals:

The parties are unregistered domestic partners who desire to live together in

an unregistered relationship in which First Party financially supports Second Party,

and Second Party renders services to First Party as companion, housekeeper,

homemaker and cook. The parties desire to combine their efforts and earnings and

share equally the property accumulated through their individual or combined

efforts.

The parties therefore agree as follows:

1. Sharing of Earnings, Services and Property

(a) First Party shall use best efforts through [his or her] personal services and skills

to generate earnings, salaries, commissions or other income sufficient to provide a

standard of living mutually acceptable to the parties.

(b) Second Party shall render services to First Party as companion, housekeeper,

homemaker and cook, and assume responsibility for related household tasks.

property accumulated through their individual or combined efforts, as further

provided in Paragraph 4.

[Use if support is to continue after parties' permanent separation:]

2. Support

First Party shall provide for all of Second Party's financial support,

commencing as of the date of this Agreement and continuing _________________ [specify

period, e.g., for the rest of Second Party's life, notwithstanding the parties'

permanent separation, as defined in Paragraph 9, or until _________________ [specify

period, e.g., one year after the parties' permanent separation, as defined in

Paragraph 9]. This support obligation shall, however, terminate on the first to occur

of any of the following events:

(a) the death of _________________ [specify either party or Second Party],

(b) the marriage of Second Party to a third person or the entry into a registered

domestic partnership by Second Party and a third person; or

[Use if support obligation is to cease on parties' permanent separation:]

2. Support

First Party shall provide for all of Second Party's financial support until such

time as the Parties are no longer cohabiting pursuant to the terms of this

Agreement. This support obligation shall cease as of the date of the termination of

this Agreement pursuant to Paragraph 8. Each party waives and disclaims any right

to support from the other party after the termination of this Agreement.

3. Disclosure of Present Assets and Obligations

Each party has fully disclosed to the other party the full extent of all assets

presently owned and obligations presently owed by that party, as set forth in the

attached Exhibits ___________________ [specify exhibit numbers], which are incorporated

into this Agreement by reference.

4. Ownership of Jointly Owned Property

Except for the separately-owned property listed in Exhibit(s) ___________________

[specify exhibit numbers] to this Agreement, the parties shall hold all property,

including all property acquired during the period of their cohabitation under this

Agreement, equally as ___________________ [specify tenants in common or joint tenants

or tenants in common or joint tenants, as may be appropriate]. _________________

[Specify First Party or Second Party or Both parties] shall have [equal] management

and control of the jointly-owned property.

[Optional Provision:]

5. Sharing Increase in Value of Residence

_________________ [First or Second] Party presently holds sole title to the real

property described as _________________ [specify, e.g., a single-family dwelling], located

at ________________ [address], as more specifically described in Exhibit ___________________

[specify exhibit number]. This property will remain _______________ [First or Second]

Party's sole and separate property. However, the parties shall share _________________

[equally or specify formula or percentage for sharing increase] in any increase in the

value of this real property occurring on and after the date of this Agreement and

until the Agreement is terminated. On termination of the Agreement,

_________________[Second or First Party] will be entitled to receive [his or her] share in

the increase in the value of this property, within _________________ [specify period, or a

reasonable time]. [Add if desired: The parties agree that the present value of this real

property is $ _________________ or ________________ [First or Second] Party agrees to hire a

competent appraiser to establish the value of this real property as of the date of this

Agreement. The conclusions of the appraiser so hired will be binding on both

parties, unless they agree otherwise.]

[Optional Provision:]

6. Legal Names of Children of Relationship

The parties agree that any minor child or children of the parties who is/are

their biological offspring, or adopted by them, shall be given the following surname:

_________________.

[Optional Provision:]

7. Support, Maintenance, and Education of Children of Previous Relationship

_________________ [First Party or Second Party or Both parties] shall provide the

following with respect to _________________ [name(s)], ___________ [a child or children] of

a previous relationship between _________________ [Second or First] Party and a third

person: _________________ [specify nature of support, e.g., all ordinary living expenses,

including reasonable expenses for medical care, dental care, and education]. This

support obligation shall continue _________________ [specify duration of support

obligation, e.g., as to each child named in this Paragraph until the child reaches the

age of majority], [notwithstanding the parties' permanent separation, as defined in

Paragraph 9 or unless this Agreement is terminated before that time pursuant to

Paragraph 8].

8. Termination of Agreement

This Agreement shall terminate as to all unexecuted provisions on the first to

occur of any of the following events:

(a) on the written consent of the parties,

(b) on the marriage, registration or cohabitation of either party with a third person,

_________________ [Add if support is to extend beyond parties' permanent separation:

However, the termination of this Agreement shall not affect the continuing

obligation of either party set forth in this Agreement to support the other party

(add, if appropriate: or to support any children of a previous relationship),]

9. Permanent Separation

As used in this Agreement, the permanent separation of the parties means

that the parties have been regularly living apart in separate dwelling places for a

period of at least _________________ [specify period, e.g., one month] after one party has

notified the other in writing that [he or she] intends to cease cohabitation with that

party.

10. Division of Property

On termination of this Agreement, the parties shall immediately divide their

jointly-owned property. The jointly-held property shall be divided equally, unless

otherwise agreed to by the parties. [Optional: In addition, _________________ (First or

Second) Party shall be entitled to [his or her] share in the increase in value of the

real property described in Paragraph 5.] [Optional: If the parties are unable to agree

on a division of their property, the parties agree to submit the valuation,

characterization, and division of their property to binding arbitration, as further

provided in Paragraph 11.]

[Optional Provision:]

11. Arbitration of Disputes

If the parties separate and are unable to agree on a division of their property

or on any other right or obligation under this Agreement, then they shall submit the

matter for resolution by arbitration to be conducted in accordance with the

provisions of this Paragraph. The parties shall jointly designate a person to act as

arbitrator. In the event that the parties cannot agree on the designation of an

arbitrator, the following provisions shall apply: Each party shall designate a person

to act as an arbitrator. The two persons designated by the parties shall then agree

on a third person to act as an arbitrator, thereby creating an arbitration panel of

three persons. Each party shall submit to the arbitrator or the arbitration panel, as

the case may be, a written statement regarding all issues in dispute along with any

relevant documents. In making his, her, or its decision, the arbitrator or the

arbitration panel, as the case may be, shall take into account all relevant facts and

circumstances. The decision of the arbitrator or the arbitration panel, as the case

may be, shall be binding on both parties. Each party shall pay _________________ [one-

half or specify other percentage] of the fees, if any, charged by the arbitrator(s) for

their services. However, any issue regarding the custody, visitation, or support of

any child born to the parties or adopted by them shall be submitted to a court of

competent jurisdiction.

12. Representation by Independent Counsel

Each party hereby acknowledges that [he or she] has been represented by

independent counsel in the negotiation of this Agreement, that the counsel

representing each party was of [his or her] own choosing, and that the Agreement

has been read by the parties and its meaning and legal consequences have been

explained to them by such counsel.

13. Attorney's Fees and Costs

If any legal action is necessary to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the

prevailing party shall receive reasonable attorney's fees and costs, in addition to any

other relief ordered.

14. Entire Agreement; Modification

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties. This Agreement

supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the

parties relating to their rights and liabilities arising out of their relationship. This

Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the

parties.

15. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction

to be invalid, void or unenforceable, then the remaining portions shall continue in

full force and effect.

16. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the

laws of the State [or Commonwealth] of _________________

Executed at ___________________[city], State [or Commonwealth] of _________________, on

____________________[date].

__________________ [signature]

_________________ [typed name]

FIRST PARTY

_________________ [signature]

_________________ [typed name]

SECOND PARTY

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

______________________________________________________________________

On ____________________ [date], before me, _________________[name], a Notary Public

in and for the State [Commonwealth] of _________________, County of ___________________,

personally appeared _________________[names of First and Second Parties], who proved

to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the persons whose names are

subscribed to this instrument, and acknowledged that they executed this instrument

in their authorized capacities, and that by their signatures on the instrument the

persons executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State

[Commonwealth] of _________________ that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

___________________ [signature]

Notary Public

ALTERNATIVE PROVISIONS REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY

FOR JOINT LIVING EXPENSES:

1. Living Expenses

(a) _________________[Name of first party] currently earns approximately $_____ per year

from _____ [his or her] employment. _________________[Name of second party] currently

earns approximately $_____ per year from _____ [his or her] employment. Based on

their total monthly income of $_____, the parties shall share their living expenses on a

pro rata basis. _________________[Name of first party] shall contribute _____ percent to

payment of the parties' monthly living expenses, and ________________ [name of second

party] shall contribute _____ percent to payment of the parties' total monthly living

expenses. These percentages shall be adjusted proportionately on any increase or

decrease in either party's earnings [Optional: but no more than once [or other

number of times] per year].

(b) Joint living expenses shall be paid from a joint checking account that the parties

shall open and maintain solely for the purpose of paying such expenses. The

expenses to be paid from the joint checking account shall be limited to:

_________________ [specify covered expenses, e.g., rent; food; utilities; telephone; renters'

insurance; joint entertainment; and joint gifts]. Neither party shall write a check on

the joint checking account established pursuant to this paragraph for any purpose

other than those specified in this paragraph without first obtaining the permission

of the other party.

calculate their anticipated expenses during the upcoming month for joint living

expenses. Each party shall deposit [his or her] percentage contribution to the total

estimated joint monthly expenses in the joint checking account no later than

_________________ [specify, e.g., the fifth day of the month]. If the estimated amount

becomes insufficient, the parties will estimate the additional necessary amount and

deposit that amount in a similar manner.

2. Payments From Separate Property

(a) ___________________[Name of first party] shall pay from _____ [his or her] separate

property all of the following: ___________________ [specify, e.g., all maintenance and

replacement expenses for ______ [his or her] vehicle; all purchase and maintenance of

items of clothing; and all personal grooming expenses].

(b) ___________________[Name of second party] shall pay from ______ [his or her] separate

property all of the following: ___________________ [specify, e.g., all maintenance and

replacement expenses for ______ [his or her] vehicle; all purchase and maintenance of

items of clothing; all personal grooming expenses; and all expenses for the care and

feeding of _____ [his or her] pets].

shall maintain _____ [his or her] own personal checking and savings accounts in

addition to the parties' joint checking account described in Paragraph 1(b).