| A marriage, once finalised, was a holy affair, and it | | | | that the rules pertaining to cohabitation are unfair and |
| was considered a sin to break it up. In the UK, about | | | | messy. It started out to reform the rules, didn't reach a |
| three quarters of all marriages are ending in divorce. | | | | solution after a report was published six years later, |
| Cohabitation seems to be gaining popularity, as the | | | | and in 2002 had started with the process again. 3. |
| number of couples living out of marriage has | | | | Annulment of the cohabitation agreement is also |
| skyrocketed. A survey revealed that most people | | | | problematic. Any vagueness in the terms can make it |
| between 25 - 40 years of age no more believe in | | | | null and void in the eyes of the law, and then the |
| marriage as an infallible institution. In fact, a sizeable | | | | couple would be left by themselves to keep on fighting. |
| portion of them have got married themselves, as they | | | | Some have likened the cohabitation agreement to a |
| felt it would be an appropriate gesture. Since the | | | | prenuptial deed. Both these documents are |
| meaning of marriage itself has changed, many social | | | | unfortunately drawn by people who are very much in |
| scientists are beginning to look upon cohabitation as a | | | | love, and not thinking of moving away from each other. |
| form of evolved marriage. And, if we take God's | | | | Therefore, the clauses aren't clearly mentioned and |
| original idea into consideration, it would be better to go | | | | property division is not meticulously done. 4. Children |
| for an arrangement where one would not part, even if | | | | might face a major disadvantage if a cohabitating |
| it means 'living in sin'. The Guardian newspaper carried | | | | couple splits up. It would be way more complicated if |
| an article about a single mom in the 1980's who had | | | | the man is not the biological father, or- and this is the |
| voiced her opinion on being a lone parent - but seemed | | | | worst case- the woman is a 'stepmom'. The |
| to have the same moral makeup about 'illegitimate | | | | ex-spouses from previous marriages can also step in |
| children', 'living in sin' etc. This is a strange time for | | | | around this time and get things royally messed up. 5. |
| Britain, as there are changes happening very fast, but | | | | Small and movable property, i.e., furniture, car, |
| no one can afford to stand and analyse things. The | | | | computer, mementos - can be the reason of the |
| Advantages of Cohabitation There are several pleas | | | | greatest disputes in case a couple breaks up. Almost |
| on behalf of marriage against cohabitation agreements. | | | | no one bothers to enlist these articles when signing in |
| There are several sites on the internet which have a | | | | to a live-in relation. And making a list of them, then |
| lot of very sound advice to offer in this regard, as well | | | | deciding who would own what, can be a practically |
| as help to draw up an agreement at a nominal cost. | | | | impossible job if they want to split. There is no proof of |
| Let us start out with the arguments in favour of | | | | ownership, of co-ownership, maintenance costs, and |
| marriage: 1. If a couple is ready to enter into a | | | | division of expenses. The confusion created would not |
| cohabitation agreement, what was wrong with good | | | | be possible for a lawyer to solve; ultimately the couple |
| old marriage? They aim to have the same legal and | | | | would have to go by themselves. 6. Inheritance is |
| economical effects on their life through this; they would | | | | another major issue. Unless a careful and clear will is |
| share the same house; they would do everything in the | | | | made, and updated, the wrong people would turn out |
| same way - so where is the difference? If someone | | | | to be the winners. This too is an issue where the |
| has a problem with the church ceremony, there is | | | | existing laws need to be rehashed. On the Internet It is |
| always the option of going for a civil marriage. 2. A | | | | possible to get the cohabitation agreement on the |
| cohabitation agreement is still not as useful or effective | | | | internet too - there are several companies who |
| as a marriage. When it comes to loans and pensions, | | | | process it for a nominal cost. A couple is advised to |
| the complications are way more - and there is a | | | | go for it definitely before entering into an unseen |
| lingering doubt about every clause when it comes to | | | | wedlock with each other (cohabitation?). |
| the property rules. The Law Society has confessed | | | | |