On the Marc Media - According to U.S. Census and Pew Research Center data, the share of married households has dropped below 50%, while unmarried couples living together continues to climb—projected to hit 16% by 2040. Among adults under 45, more have cohabited with a partner than ever tied the knot.
Family law attorney Sondra Douglas of Rockville, Maryland-based Stein Sperling says she’s seeing a sharp increase in couples—especially millennials and Gen Z—seeking legal protection as they build lives together without getting married.
“These are people in serious, committed relationships,” Douglas says. “They’re choosing not to marry right now, but they’re sharing homes, bank accounts, sometimes even kids. A cohabitation agreement protects both parties—because love alone doesn’t hold up in court.”
These agreements help couples:
- Split rent, bills, and debt fairly
- Protect against one partner’s bad credit or student loans
- Decide who keeps the dog, the couch, or the apartment after a breakup
- Handle estate planning issues like DNRs and healthcare decisions
Too many couples either skip this step—or download a free online template—only to discover it’s unenforceable. “A bad agreement can be worse than none at all,” Douglas warns.
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