COHABITATION AGREEMENT

THIS COHABITATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated this ________ day of ________________, ________.

BETWEEN:

_____________________
of _________________________

- AND -

_____________________
of _________________________

BACKGROUND

1. This Agreement is made between _____________________ and _____________________ (collectively the "Parties" and individually a "Party") who presently reside in a non-marital cohabitation, although there is no present intention to marry.
   
2. The Parties' non-marital cohabitation began or would begin on approximately the ________ day of ________________, ________.
   
3. The Parties wish to enter into this Agreement to provide for the status, ownership, and division of property between them, including future property owned or to be acquired by either or both of them.
   
4. The Parties further wish to affix their respective rights and liabilities that may result from this relationship.
   
5. The Parties recognize the possibility of unhappy differences that may arise between them. Accordingly, the Parties desire that the distribution of any property that either or both of them may own will be governed by the terms of this Agreement and, insofar as the statutory or case law permits, intend that any statutes that may apply to them, either by virtue of Federal or State legislation, will not apply to them.
   
6. Each Party has retained their own lawyer and has received independent legal advice regarding the terms of this Agreement.
   
7. The Parties acknowledge that neither is under any duress or undue influence of the other, and that they are voluntarily entering into this Agreement.
   
8. The Parties have disclosed to the satisfaction of each of them all assets and liabilities that each may have.
   

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the upcoming cohabitation agreement, and in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

1. PROPERTY
   
1. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement will govern any determination of ownership of property that may occur in the event of the Parties separating, or upon the death of a Party.
   
2. All jointly acquired or jointly held property, however and whenever acquired, will remain the property of and be owned by both Parties and will be treated as shared property (the "Shared Property").
   
3. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all property will be treated as property owned solely by either one of the Parties (the "Separate Property") except where:
   
   1. it is Shared Property; or
      
   2. there is proof of shared legal ownership.
      
4. Nothing in this Agreement will prevent or invalidate any gift, or transfer for value, from one Party to the other of present or future property.
   
5. Unless a Party can reasonably show that they solely own a piece of property, where either Party commingles jointly owned property with Separate Property, any commingled property will be presumed to be Shared Property.
   
6. DEBTS
   
6. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement will govern any determination of responsibility of debts that may occur in the event of the Parties separating, or upon the death of a Party.
   
7. All jointly acquired or jointly held debts, however and whenever acquired, will remain the debts of and be owed by both Parties and will be treated as shared debts (the "Shared Debts").
   
8. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all debts will be treated as debts owed solely by either one of the Parties (the "Separate Debts") except where:
   
   1. it is Shared Debt; or
      
   2. there is proof of shared legal responsibility.
      
9. SUPPORT
   
9. The Parties agree that the investment of time or labor with respect to personal service in the property of the other, or otherwise, will be deemed to have been made gratuitously, and without expectation or right of compensation unless agreed to the contrary in writing.
   
10. It is the intention of the Parties to forever release each other from any support obligations now and in the future no matter how their circumstances may change. They will not apply now or in the future under any legislation for support. They each waive any rights they may have to proceed against the other under any law or statute for  support and rely upon the law of contract to govern in respect of this issue.
    
11. The Parties realize that their respective financial circumstances may be altered in the future by changes in their health, the cost of living, their employment, their marital status, the breakdown of their relationship, or otherwise. No such changes will give either Party the right to seek support under any legislation. It is understood by each Party that this Agreement represents a final disposition of all support issues between them.
    
12. ESTATES AND TESTAMENTARY DISPOSITION
    
12. Nothing in this Agreement will limit or affect any rights that each may acquire as a cohabitant or cohabitant in the property, assets or estate of the other cohabitant.
    
13. Nothing in this Agreement will invalidate or prevent either Party from naming the other as a beneficiary by will or other testamentary disposition.
    
14. SEVERABILITY
    
14. Should any portion of this Agreement be held by a court of law to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, such holding will not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, and the Parties agree that the portion so held to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, will be deemed amended, reduced in scope, or otherwise stricken only to the extent required for purposes of validity and enforcement in the jurisdiction of such holding.
    
15. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES
    
15. Notwithstanding that the Parties acknowledge and agree that their circumstances at the execution of this Agreement may change for many reasons, including but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the passage of years, it is nonetheless their intention to be bound strictly by the terms of this Agreement at all times.
    
16. DUTY OF GOOD FAITH
    
16. This Agreement creates a fiduciary relationship between the Parties in which each Party agrees to act with the utmost of good faith and fair dealing toward the other in all aspects of this Agreement.
    
17. FURTHER DOCUMENTATION
    
17. The Parties agree to provide and execute such further documentation as may be reasonably required to give full force and effect to each term of this Agreement.
    
18. TITLE/HEADINGS
    
18. The headings of this Agreement form no part of it, and will be deemed to have been inserted for convenience only.
    
19. ENUREMENT
    
19. This Agreement will be binding upon and will enure to the benefit of the Parties, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns.
    
20. GOVERNING LAW
    
20. The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia will govern the interpretation of this Agreement, and the status, ownership, and division of property between the Parties wherever either or both of them may from time to time reside.
    
21. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT
    
21. This Agreement may only be terminated or amended by the Parties in writing signed by both of them.