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Family law

Cohabitation Agreement

A domestic contract between common-law or cohabiting partners setting out property, support, and other arrangements. Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, and have signatures witnessed in Ontario. Each partner should obtain independent legal advice.

Pay only when you notarize

Word files are editable. Review any changes carefully before signing or uploading.

Also known as

  • Common-Law Agreement
  • Cohabitation Contract
  • Domestic Contract (Cohabitation)
  • +1 more names
    • Living Together Agreement

COHABITATION AGREEMENT

This Cohabitation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on the ___ day of ____________, ______, by and between:

______, of ______

– and –

______, of ______

Collectively referred to as the “Parties.”

1. Nature of Relationship and Intentions

  • We confirm that we are living together in a committed relationship but are not married.

  • We are entering into this Agreement freely and voluntarily, without duress, and with a full understanding of its terms.

  • Each Party acknowledges having provided full financial disclosure of assets and debts to the satisfaction of the other.

  • The purpose of this Agreement is to clearly set out our financial, property, and personal arrangements, both during our relationship and in the event of separation or death.

2. Household Arrangements and Shared Responsibilities

  • The Parties agree on how household expenses, bills, and shared responsibilities will be managed. ______

  • The Parties may update these arrangements in writing as circumstances change.

3. Property and Assets

  • Individual Property: Anything owned by one Party before this relationship, or acquired later in their own name, will remain that person’s sole property.

  • Shared Property: Assets acquired together, or intentionally held in joint names, will be considered shared property.

  • Transfers and Gifts: Property given by one Party to the other is the recipient’s property.

  • Commingled Property: If property becomes mixed so that ownership cannot be proven, it will be treated as shared property.

  • Schedules: The Parties may attach a schedule of current assets:

______

4. Debts and Liabilities

  • Each Party is responsible for their own debts unless expressly agreed otherwise.

  • Shared debts are listed in the attached schedule:

______

  • No Party may create debt in the name of the other without written consent.

5. Children

______

6. Support Between the Parties

______

7. Estate Planning and Survivorship

  • Each Party retains full testamentary freedom and may dispose of their estate as they choose.

  • Except where otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Party waives any rights to the estate or property of the other.

  • This Agreement does not prevent either Party from naming the other as a beneficiary under a will, insurance policy, or similar arrangement.

8. Duty of Good Faith and Disclosure

  • The Parties agree to deal with each other honestly and in good faith.

  • Each Party will provide documents or information reasonably requested by the other to confirm compliance with this Agreement.

9. Dispute Resolution

  • If a dispute arises under this Agreement, the Parties will first attempt to resolve it by negotiation.

  • If negotiation fails, the Parties agree to attend mediation or arbitration before commencing court proceedings, unless urgent relief is required.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario.

11. General Provisions

  • Amendment: This Agreement may only be amended or terminated by a written document signed by both Parties.

  • Severability: If any part of this Agreement is found invalid, the remainder will continue in effect.

  • Binding Effect: This Agreement binds the Parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns.

  • Notices: Any formal notice under this Agreement may be delivered by hand, by registered mail, or by electronic communication (including email) to the last known address of the Party.

12. Execution

Both Parties confirm that they have read this Agreement in its entirety, understand its contents, and sign it of their own free will.

Executed at _________________________, on the ___ day of ____________, ______.

______

Signature: ___________________________

Witness Name: _______________________

Witness Signature: ____________________

______

Signature: ___________________________

Witness Name: _______________________

Witness Signature: ____________________

The blanks fill themselves in as you type.

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General template, not legal advice
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Walkthrough · Step 01 of 04

Cohabitation Agreement

A compact preview of this template

01Basic Details

Which of you is the parent of the children from a previous relationship?

Your full legal name

Are your assets held jointly or separately?

COHABITATION AGREEMENT

This Cohabitation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on the ___ day of ____________, ______, by and between:

______, of ______

– and –

______, of ______

Collectively referred to as the “Parties.”

1. Nature of Relationship and Intentions

  • We confirm that we are living together in a committed relationship but are not married.

  • We are entering into this Agreement freely and voluntarily, without duress, and with a full understanding of its terms.

  • Each Party acknowledges having provided full financial disclosure of assets and debts to the satisfaction of the other.

  • The purpose of this Agreement is to clearly set out our financial, property, and personal arrangements, both during our relationship and in the event of separation or death.

2. Household Arrangements and Shared Responsibilities

  • The Parties agree on how household expenses, bills, and shared responsibilities will be managed. ______

  • The Parties may update these arrangements in writing as circumstances change.

3. Property and Assets

  • Individual Property: Anything owned by one Party before this relationship, or acquired later in their own name, will remain that person’s sole property.

  • Shared Property: Assets acquired together, or intentionally held in joint names, will be considered shared property.

  • Transfers and Gifts: Property given by one Party to the other is the recipient’s property.

  • Commingled Property: If property becomes mixed so that ownership cannot be proven, it will be treated as shared property.

  • Schedules: The Parties may attach a schedule of current assets:

______

4. Debts and Liabilities

  • Each Party is responsible for their own debts unless expressly agreed otherwise.

  • Shared debts are listed in the attached schedule:

______

  • No Party may create debt in the name of the other without written consent.

5. Children

______

6. Support Between the Parties

______

7. Estate Planning and Survivorship

  • Each Party retains full testamentary freedom and may dispose of their estate as they choose.

  • Except where otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Party waives any rights to the estate or property of the other.

  • This Agreement does not prevent either Party from naming the other as a beneficiary under a will, insurance policy, or similar arrangement.

8. Duty of Good Faith and Disclosure

  • The Parties agree to deal with each other honestly and in good faith.

  • Each Party will provide documents or information reasonably requested by the other to confirm compliance with this Agreement.

9. Dispute Resolution

  • If a dispute arises under this Agreement, the Parties will first attempt to resolve it by negotiation.

  • If negotiation fails, the Parties agree to attend mediation or arbitration before commencing court proceedings, unless urgent relief is required.

10. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario.

11. General Provisions

  • Amendment: This Agreement may only be amended or terminated by a written document signed by both Parties.

  • Severability: If any part of this Agreement is found invalid, the remainder will continue in effect.

  • Binding Effect: This Agreement binds the Parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns.

  • Notices: Any formal notice under this Agreement may be delivered by hand, by registered mail, or by electronic communication (including email) to the last known address of the Party.

12. Execution

Both Parties confirm that they have read this Agreement in its entirety, understand its contents, and sign it of their own free will.

Executed at _________________________, on the ___ day of ____________, ______.

______

Signature: ___________________________

Witness Name: _______________________

Witness Signature: ____________________

______

Signature: ___________________________

Witness Name: _______________________

Witness Signature: ____________________

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  1. 01

    What is a cohabitation agreement?

    A cohabitation agreement — a type of domestic contract under Ontario family law — lets common-law or cohabiting partners agree in advance on property division, support, and other arrangements.

    It can reduce uncertainty and conflict by setting clear expectations while the partners live together and if the relationship ends.

  2. 02

    When you might use one

    It is used by partners who live together or plan to.

    • Common-law or cohabiting partners who want clear financial arrangements.
    • Protecting property each partner brings into the relationship.
    • Agreeing on support and responsibilities in advance.
  3. 04

    How to notarize a cohabitation agreement in Ontario

    Once you have filled in your cohabitation agreement and downloaded the PDF, do not sign it in advance if a witnessed signature is needed. A notary public can witness and notarize your signature so a third party can rely on it.

    Minute Notary witnesses your cohabitation agreement online by secure video, under Ontario's remote commissioning rules (O. Reg. 431/20), or in person in Ottawa. Bring valid government-issued photo identification.

    • Fill in the document online and download a clean, ready-to-sign PDF — free, no account.
    • Present valid photo ID; we witness your signature and apply the notary seal.
    • Your document is ready to use across Ontario and Canada.
Notary’s docket

Good to know

Before you fill it in.

Short notes from our notary on this template. Worth a minute before you start.

  1. 01

    Reviewed for use in Ontario by a notary public and commissioner for taking affidavits.

  2. 02

    Fill it in online for free and download a ready-to-sign PDF — no account required.

  3. 03

    Sign in front of the notary, who witnesses your signature and applies the seal.

  4. 04

    Notarize online by video across Ontario, or in person in Ottawa.

Frequently asked

Questions about the Cohabitation Agreement

01
Is a cohabitation agreement legally binding in Ontario?
A domestic contract can be binding if properly made — generally in writing, signed, and witnessed, with full financial disclosure. Courts can set one aside in some circumstances, so independent legal advice is important.
02
Do both partners need a lawyer?
It is strongly recommended. Each partner should obtain their own independent legal advice so the agreement is fair and more likely to hold up.
03
Can a notary witness our signatures?
Yes. A notary can witness and notarize the signatures online or in Ottawa, but witnessing is not legal advice.
04
How is it different from a separation agreement?
A cohabitation agreement is made while you live together; a separation agreement settles matters when a relationship or marriage ends.

Keep exploring

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  1. 01
    Separation Agreement

    A domestic contract settling property, support, and parenting when a relationship or marriage ends. Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, and have signatures witnessed in Ontario. Each party should obtain independent legal advice.

    Fill it out
  2. 02
    Statutory Declaration of Separation of Legal Spouses or Common-law Partners (Service Canada)

    A statutory declaration of the separation of legal spouses or common-law partners, used to support a benefit or pension matter. Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, and notarize in Ontario.

    Fill it out
  3. 03
    Statutory Declaration of Living Separate and Apart

    A sworn declaration that you and your spouse or partner have been living separate and apart since a given date — often required for tax, benefits, or status purposes. Fill it in online, download a ready-to-sign PDF, and notarize in Ontario.

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  4. 04
    Statutory Declaration of Guardianship Consent

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Ready to sign?

Ready to create your Cohabitation Agreement?

Fill it in online, then download a ready-to-sign PDF or an editable Word copy. This document must be signed in person. Not sure what the appointment involves? Read about the Affidavits service first.