Is There a Correlation Between Premarital Cohabitation and Divorce?

There is a common myth that living together before marriage leads to a higher incidence of divorce. Recent research from the University of North Carolina may debunk that myth. The researchers found that there does not appear to be any correlation between premarital cohabitation and divorce. Cohabiting successfully always involves a negotiation between the live-in couple regarding obligations and responsibilities within the new household. My recommendation is that any couple contemplating moving in together have a written premarital cohabitation agreement so each partners role and responsibilities are clearly detailed in plain English. This way there can be a smoother transition into this new phase of life together without disagreement or conflict going forward. While most live-in couples have embarked on cohabiting without a contract, if it does not work out (and that is always a possibility) litigation can follow if a middle ground cannot be found. Winding up in court over apportioning financial obligations, property rights or leasehold rights is time consuming and expensive. My firm can mediate a cohabitation agreement for you and your partner at a reasonable cost in a non-combative setting. Please call my office for a free-consultation regarding the mediation process.