Co-Habitation Agreements: How to separate while under the same roof.
More and more families are coming to mediation unable to afford to separate physically. Family Circle specializes in developing co-habitation agreements in conjunction with standard separation agreements. These agreements create temporary arrangements whereas couples can reshape how they live together while mentally/romantically separating.
In today’s housing market, couples are having more and more trouble affording to separate. Yes, it’s a great time to sell, but only if you have a place to go. With the real estate market being cut throat competitive and rental rates skyrocketing, many couples are forced to stay under the same roof while separating.
Other couples choose to remain in the same household for the benefit of their children: the children are infants and exchanges are impractical, they would like to stay in the same household until their children finish the school year, or a child has special needs that requires both parents to be present in the household.
Regardless of the reason, co-habitation can be difficult for couples that are separating. It can be difficult to develop a new normal with a set of new understandings and expectations from each other; the dynamic and the environment of the house changes.
A co-habitation agreement can help keep the peace as much as possible for the sake of your own mental health and for those of the rest of the household—particularly for any children in the house. A co-habitation agreement can be used to outline the change in the dynamic, behaviors, and expectations of the family.
These agreements can outline any subjects that help the couple stay under the same roof peacefully including chore outlines, bill payments, maintenance of the house, separation of finances, care of the children, use of the house, and the introduction of new relationships.
Mediation provides couples with the tools to communicate and co-parent under the same roof effectively and respectfully. An agreement will provide your family with a new structure for success now and later when you physically separate.
