Cohabitation Agreements Edmonton
Designed by lawyers. Made by you.
Jointly helps you collaboratively create a relationship agreement for managing your property and finances during your relationship and in case it ends.
How it works
1.
Learn about the Law
Review our tutorial to get up to speed on the law in your province, and learn about what your options are in your prenup, postnup, or cohabitation agreement.
2.
Work together
Guided prompts make conversations easier, and help you decide what to put in your agreement.
3.
Build your agreement
Fill out a straightforward questionnaire to create an agreement that fits your relationship. Jointly was designed by lawyers, so you can have confidence in the agreement you build together.
4.
Finalize and sign
Each of you need Independent Legal Advice from a lawyer to make your agreement enforceable. Once that’s done, sign your agreement!
About Us
Our team is led by Aimee and Amanda, two experienced lawyers who are deeply committed to access to justice, community building, and helping people solve everyday legal problems. Having seen firsthand the challenges ordinary people face in accessing reliable legal services, they founded Jointly to create more affordable, accessible solutions for everyone.
Why You Need A Cohabitation Agreement
A cohabitation agreement is the only way to make sure your property and finances are protected, and divided in a way that fits your personal circumstances if your relationship ends.
Learn
FREE
- Access to our e-course on prenups and cohabitation agreements
- Worksheet for discussing assets and debts with your partner
- Worksheet for deciding with your partner what your agreement should say
Build
$429
- Access to everything in Learn tier
- Build your personalized and legally compliant agreement with our Agreement Builder (6 months of access)
- Include terms on spousal support, property division, businesses, houses, pensions, wills, pets, and more!
- 30 day money-back guarantee
Relationship Agreements
Edmonton Prenup Agreements
Create a fair, lawyer-approved prenup together online. Jointly helps you build a clear, enforceable agreement before marriage, so you both know where you stand.
Edmonton Cohabitation Agreements
Moving in together? Protect your finances and property with a cohabitation agreement. Jointly makes it easy to create one collaboratively, affordably, and online.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cohabitation agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is a legal contract between two people who live together in a romantic relationship, but are not married. It outlines financial commitments, property ownership, and responsibilities during the relationship and in the event of a breakup – essentially the same subjects that would be included in a prenup or postnup/marriage agreement, just without the wedding date.
What is legal cohabitation in Alberta?
Alberta calls common-law relationships “adult interdependent partnerships.” You are an “adult interdependent partner if:
- You have been in a relationship for at least three years where you share one another’s lives, are emotionally committed to each other, and function as an economic and domestic unit; or
- You have been living together in a serious relationship for less than three years and have a child.
It sounds pretty straightforward, but it can get complicated. Making a cohabitation agreement can clarify that you are living in an adult interdependent relationship, and precisely when that started. This is often a source of dispute when couples separate as it has a significant impact on whether and how family property is divided and whether spousal support can be paid. It can also clarify that your relationship is not an adult interdependent relationship, and that you are instead just companions.
What is the purpose of a cohabitation agreement?
Cohabitation agreements can prevent expensive and stressful legal disputes in the event of a breakup by clearly defining expectations and obligations at the beginning of the relationship. The key benefits of a cohabitation agreement are: protecting the rights of both partners; clarifying financial contributions and responsibilities during the relationship; ensuring fair treatment of both partners if the relationship ends; and reducing the risk of costly legal disputes after separation.
Do I need a cohabitation agreement in Alberta?
The purpose of a cohabitation agreement is to provide clarity and legal protection for couples who are living together but are not married. This legal contract outlines each partner’s rights and responsibilities, especially when it comes to property, debts, income, and other financial matters.
For common law couples, a cohabitation agreement can help avoid disputes and confusion by spelling out what will happen if the relationship ends. Without such an agreement, provincial law will determine the division of property and support, which may not reflect the couple’s wishes or be the best fit for their circumstances.
What can you include in a cohabitation agreement in Alberta?
A cohabitation agreement can be customized to meet a couple’s unique needs. Common inclusions are:
- Asset and debt division – How property and liabilities will be handled in case of separation.
- Spousal support – Whether one spouse will receive financial support if the relationship ends – including the amount and duration of support payments.
- Inheritance rights – Protecting future inheritances from being treated as family property – no matter how they are used.
- Ownership of businesses – Determining how business interests will be treated in case of separation.
- Financial responsibilities during marriage – Clarifying who will cover household expenses, investments, and debt repayment.
- Estate planning considerations – Deciding what your obligations are to each other when it comes to making your will.
Are cohabitation agreements legally enforceable in Alberta?
Yes, cohabitation agreements are legally binding in Alberta. It’s possible for a cohabitation agreement to be overturned in Alberta under certain circumstances. Some things that make your agreement vulnerable are (1) when one person was pressured into signing it; (2) if either person wasn’t honest about their assets when they made the agreement; and (3) if your agreement is significantly unfair given the circumstances of your relationship. We have built our agreements to address these concerns if you follow the instructions in the course.
Do you need a lawyer for a cohabitation agreement in Alberta?
No, a cohabitation agreement does not legally have to be written by a lawyer. However, using a platform like Jointly, which was built by lawyers, or working with a lawyer in your province is highly recommended to ensure the agreement complies with provincial laws, is clearly worded, and will hold up in court. Poorly drafted agreements (like many you can find online for free) are more likely to be challenged or set aside – meaning they won’t protect you if your relationship ends.
In Alberta, you have to have a lawyer fill out a certificate of independent legal advice to confirm that you have read and understood your agreement. A certificate that you can take to a lawyer in your area is included with every Jointly agreement.
How much does a cohabitation agreement cost in Alberta?
The average cost of a cohabitation agreement in Alberta ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. This includes legal fees, financial disclosures, and possible negotiations between both parties.
Using an online service like Jointly is a more affordable option, offering a fixed price of $379 for a legally valid agreement. We have also designed Jointly to be a collaborative process where you and your partner can learn and make your decisions together, instead of getting separate lawyers to negotiate for you, which can feel adversarial.
Can I update my cohabitation agreement in Alberta?
Your cohabitation agreement can last for the duration of your relationship, or be changed from time to time. We recommend reviewing your agreement and making sure it still fits your relationship whenever you have a significant life change, or every 5 years. We’ve built a review option into our agreements to make this process quick and easy.
Learn More About Cohabitation Agreements
Cohabitation Agreement: When One Person Owns The House
Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements – What’s the Difference?
Do I need a cohabitation agreement?
The best time to make a relationship agreement is when you move in together.