Taking the Leap: Why I Insisted on a Cohabitation Agreement
Last September, I took a significant step in my relationship by moving in with my boyfriend. But before signing the lease, I made sure to add our signatures to a crucial document – a cohabitation agreement. This agreement is designed to protect both parties from potential harm, whether financial, emotional, or otherwise, by planning for obstacles that may arise.
Predicting and Planning for the Unexpected
The agreement can be customized in countless ways, but its core purpose is to ensure that both partners are on the same page. For instance, what if one person earns more money? How will rent be divided, and what’s the plan if the higher earner takes a pay cut? What about moving expenses, buying new furniture, or breaking up? Having a clear understanding of these issues can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts down the line.
Clear-Headedness in the Face of Optimism
By creating a cohabitation agreement, my partner and I were able to hash out a compromise on rent division. Instead of selecting an arbitrary ratio, we based it on our individual savings rates, which happens to match our income disparity. This way, we can both benefit equally from cohabiting, despite paying different amounts.
Entangling Lives, Keeping Track of Loose Ends
Moving in together means merging previously separate aspects of our lives. Even if we’re not planning to untangle them anytime soon, it’s essential to keep track of the loose ends. I’ve learned from my experiences that institutions can bottom out, and it’s crucial to be realistic.
A Healthy Dose of Realism
As a millennial, I’m part of the most cautious generation on record. My parents’ divorce and my own struggles in the job market have taught me to be prepared for the unexpected. By having a cohabitation agreement, I’m not expecting failure, but rather acknowledging the importance of being responsible and accountable.
A Declaration of Love and Trust
The agreement isn’t just about who pays what; it’s a declaration of our commitment to each other. We’ve made promises to be held accountable for our actions, and we’re willing to work together to find harmony between our obligations to the relationship and ourselves. With our signatures on the dotted line, we’ve committed to a shared future built on love, trust, and mutual respect.
Leave a Reply