You're committed, you're moving in together and you're blending your households. But are you forgetting something? Many Canadians find themselves in common-law relationships and think that they aren't any different from a legal marriage. It can be a shock to find out that, when the going gets tough, certain rights under the law—not to mention financial obligations—do or do not apply. A cohabitation agreement allows a couple to make sure their partner and any children are taken care of in times of need or crisis; that ownership in properties or financial resources are clear, combined, separated or protected. Do We Need a Cohabitation Agreement? is written in clear, nontechnical language and includes real-life examples based on Canadian cases, addressing topics including wills and estates, powers of attorney, the special concerns of step-families and same-sex couples, and how to have this discussion with your partner.

Michael Cochrane is a Toronto lawyer and author. He has published several bestselling books about law and was the host of a nationally televised live phone-in show called Strictly Legal. Golf and golf history have become his passions. He has spent hundreds of hours researching the story of George Lyon.

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