Strategies for Successfully Navigating Cohabitation
So you’ve been in a relationship for a while and you’ve been talking about moving in together…read this first for some tips on how to maximize your chances of making it work. Any type of relationship involves work, commitment and compromise, but there are some specific things you can do to make it a positive experience.
How to Make Moving in Together a Positive Experience
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, cohabitation has gradually become more popular and more accepted over the past couple decades. The data shows that as the percentage of Americans who are living together has more than doubled since 1995, from 3% to 7%, the percentage of Americans who are married has declined, from 58% to 53%. Here are some of the things you can do to improve the likelihood that you’ll stay together:
- Don’t commingle most of your finances—You may need to both be parties to a mortgage or lease, but there’s not a lot of benefit to having joint bank accounts, credit cards or other financial instruments. If the relationship ends, you may have a lot of difficulty resolving issues. It’s best, at this point, to be very clear about who owns what. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about who’s paying what.
- Be open and clear about rights and responsibilities—If you do have joint financial obligations, such as rent or a mortgage payment, specify who will make the actual payment and how it will be funded. While you’re at it, make agreements about who cleans, cooks, and does other things around the house.
- Practice full and open financial disclosure—Even though you may keep most of your own accounts, it’s important that you share any financial challenges or windfalls
Let DTX Family Law Help You with Any Type of Family Law Issue
At DTX Family Law, we always put your interests first. We know that relationships can be challenging and that you often need an objective person to help ensure that your interests are protected. We’ll carefully explain your rights and options in any family law matter, as well as your chances of success, so that you can make good decisions about how you want to move forward. Chrysandra is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an honor earned by less than one of every ten family law attorneys in the state. To schedule an appointment with a proven and effective Texas family lawyer, visit our new website or call our offices at 940-566-0606.
Handling Divorce and Family Law Matters throughout Denton and the surrounding communities, including Denton, Collin, Wise, Tarrant and Cooke counties and the municipalities of Keller, Euless, Hurst, Colleyville, Bedford, Crowley, Lake Worth, Benbrook, Haslet, Saginaw, Watauga, Richland Hills, White Settlement, River Oaks, Forest Hill, Kennedale, Westover Hills, Lakeside, Pelican Bay