PARALLAX PRO specializes in creating beautiful web pages that have a lot of visual appeal while maintaining the functionality to serve your needs. From a coder’s perspective, there are an infinite number of ways to create a webpage with the same functionality and visual appeal, however, the big difference lies in how secure the code is, and how much forethought and planning went into its design. This brings me to the topic of Cohabitation agreements. I think that there is a lot of logic in the way PARALLAX PRO web page design creates and maintains relationships between web pages that I can transpose (no pun intended) to the process of creating a cohabitation agreement in Colorado. Simply put, a cohabitation agreement is a contract that couples enter into to define the terms of their relationship and enjoy the protections it affords.
Let’s break it down a bit more. When a relationship is working well, everything seems to fall into place like the code behind the web page. The couple discussed their needs, considered many solutions, and then made choices together. This should still be true over time, but when a dispute arises, it is even more important that the parties have clear definitions in place for all of the “Who pays what” and “What happens in the event of…”. Without a thoughtful agreement in place, the relationship seems to devolve into a series of arguments and resentment akin to poorly organized and coded websites.
While many people think that they don’t need a cohabitation agreement if they don’t intend to get married, there are many reasons that such an agreement can be beneficial to those who are merely trying to make a life together.
First, you want the choice to live together to be a positive experience, before you commit to being together for life. While this may seem obvious, it is harder than it sounds. Now that cohabitation is so widely accepted, many people enter into it without thinking about what it means or considering the implications of a failed relationship. This can lead to difficult outcomes once the decision has been made, your mortgage payments are due, you’ve registered the car together, and you are tied to an apartment for the next 2 years.
Second, and keeping with the website metaphor above, each party likely comes into the relationship with a lot of “things” from old web pages past. Some of these “things” are great and they mesh well with the new sites you’re creating together, but some just don’t fit in. If you both had a house and move into one of them, what was agreed upon before cohabitation as to the sale of the old home? There is more at stake than just the physical property. You may have purchased the home because of the view out the window, the other person may have purchased their home for the size of the backyard for their dog, and this decision can literally destroy a relationship if not discussed beforehand. This is especially true if children are involved and your primary focus is on their needs.
Third, financial realities. Sometimes a relationship becomes strained because one or both parties don’t discuss finances or have very different ideas on the topic. It’s important to note that money is one of the top two causes of divorce, so it’s a good idea to start addressing financial issues early. Even if you never fight about money and manage your finances fabulously well, an agreed upon contract can help avoid fights and misunderstanding down the road. Consider the issue of savings for emergencies. If you have a $2000 emergency and your agreement states that you must share all assets, but you have $50,000 in savings and your partner has $500, the idea of sharing assets equally seems fair. However, if your partner spends down their savings much faster than you and you are trying to build your nest egg to a more cushiony $100,000 to be ready for retirement, the goal of reaching financial security can be quite the battle ground.
Fourth, debt. Entering into a relationship is a lot like drawing up a contract. You’re not just taking on the happy qualities of the other person; you are also signing up for their debts. Perhaps your partner is working hard and hopes to be debt free within a year, you may not care much if you’re helping them by providing a little more support initially. However, your partner’s choice in car payment left in place may have ramifications for years, and you might not realize what they are until after you’re already committed. Having an agreement helps you to develop your choices together as a couple, rather than creating a mess of a situation when it comes time to split.
Fifth, a snazzy new outfit. Well, it’s not clothing, but it is when we consider that a Cohabitation Agreement is like a Theme for your relationship. It describes the look and functionality of your relationship, and lists all of the plug-ins that can help your relationship continuously upgrade, while also helping to prevent any future bugs and hacks.
When you go into this type of agreement, it’s important to remember that it’s not necessarily set in stone, and you should review it regularly. Like any good theme, it can, and should be adjusted to meet the growing needs of your relationship.
If you enter into a Cohabitation Agreement with your partner, we can customize it to fit your needs and desires, just like the PARALLAX PRO website. Essentially, it will give you the ability to run the site and the ability to modify it as needed. If you and your partner don’t have an agreement, we can help you include all of these tips and more in a legal document that is easy to read and understand, giving you the ability to follow the same path as quality website designers and plan for the future.