Agreements

For those wishing to take the precaution of drawing up agreements to detail how finances and property will be held during a relationship, and what will happen if the relationship breaks down, Ashfords' Family Law Team offer advice on terms, negotiation and drafting of agreements and guidance on solutions that will suit your individual needs.

Agreements include:

• Pre-nuptial agreement
  A ‘written contract’ made prior to marriage, seeking to regulate the prospective spouses' financial liabilities and responsibilities towards each other in the event of their subsequent divorce or separation. It must be in writing and signed by both parties.
  
  
• Declaration of Trust / Cohabitation Agreement
  This is a simple document which can set out in legal terms the percentage shares in the property, and can also make it clear who is responsible for paying the mortgage, insurance, improvements, bills etc, and what should happen if one of the owners wants to sell their share in the property.
  
  
• Separation Agreement
  A formal written agreement entered into by a married couple who wish to record the financial agreement that they have reached dealing with the financial consequences of their decision to separate.
  
  
• Parental Responsibility agreement
  Parental responsibility is a legal concept that consists of the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that most parents have in respect of their children.