Cohabitation - meaning and definition
Alsocohabitingmoving in togetherliving togethercohabitcommon-law partnerliving with a partner
Definition
Two partners living together in a shared home without necessarily being married or in a civil partnership.
At a glance
- Partners living together without necessarily being married or in a civil partnership.
- It can be a step before marriage or a long-term alternative to it.
- It raises practical questions about money, chores, space and time alone.
- Legal rights of cohabiting couples differ greatly between countries.
- Some couples make written agreements to protect both partners.
In detail
Cohabitation has become common in many countries, both as a step before marriage and as a long-term alternative to it. It brings practical questions about sharing money, chores, space and time alone.
Legal rights for cohabiting couples differ greatly between countries and are often weaker than those of married couples, particularly around property and inheritance. Couples sometimes put written agreements in place to protect both partners.
In a sentence
- Before we sign the lease, let's talk about how cohabitation will work with money.
- The leaflet explained that cohabiting couples don't always have the same rights as married ones.
Where the word comes from
From the Latin cohabitare, to live together.
Common questions
Do cohabiting couples have the same rights as married couples?
Often they do not, especially regarding property and inheritance, but the rules vary greatly by country. Official legal guidance or a lawyer in your country can explain what applies.