What does this regulate?
01 · UNDERSTAND
Cohabitants may need clear agreements about contributions to costs, ownership of goods and the settlement when they split up. We start from your actual form of cohabitation and from what is already on paper.
For certain agreements, a private document may be suitable. For an agreement for legal cohabitation and for actions for which the law prescribes an authentic form, a notarial deed is necessary. We therefore first determine the correct form.
A RECOGNISABLE SITUATION
You contribute towards your partner's loan repayments. We examine whether you thereby merely contribute to housing costs or whether a repayment arrangement is intended.
What requires attention?
02 · CHOOSE CONSCIOUSLY
An arrangement about costs does not automatically make someone a co-owner and does not in itself create inheritance rights. Ownership, repayment and protection upon death must be arranged separately.
Also explain what was agreed earlier and where doubts remain. A regulation can only be appropriately developed if facts and wishes are clear.
More points to consider for your own situation
03 · YOUR INTENTION
You do not need to be able to answer all this in advance. Your doubts are also a good starting point.
Click on a question for an initial explanation or practical tip. You do not need to have an answer to everything yet.
Do you live together factually or legally?
Note whether you have filed a declaration of legal cohabitation at the municipality. Merely living together at one address does not yet give us clarity on this.
Who owns the home and who pays which costs?
Place the purchase deed, loan and monthly contributions side by side. Make visible who the owner is and who makes which payments.
Does a contribution go towards daily expenses or asset accumulation?
Separate groceries and energy from repayments, renovations and other investments. Keep proof of payment and note what you have agreed upon internally regarding those contributions.
What do you wish to settle in the event of a breakup?
Make a list of own contributions, joint purchases and loans. Write down how you would like to settle these upon a breakup and how the value can then be determined.
Do you also want protection in case of death?
Specify what the partner would need: to continue living there, money for daily costs or ownership. Have this reviewed together with your possible will and other agreements.
What do we need, and why?
04 · PREPARATION
Bring what you already have. We will agree on any additional documents the office needs to request. The final list depends on your file.
Identity and contact details
To correctly identify the persons involved and their capacity. Provide identity documents via the channel we agree with you.
Deeds of ownership and any declaration of legal cohabitation
To determine the existing legal situation.
Overview of contributions and payments
To distinguish consumption costs and possible claims.
Existing agreements, loans or wills
To create new provisions coherently.
Is something missing? Mention it in your application. An initial meeting does not have to wait until you have gathered everything yourself.
What does NotaLegal do for you?
05 · GUIDANCE
We clarify mutual expectations and assess whether a private agreement suffices. If a notarial deed or additional arrangement is necessary, we discuss this before the assignment is finalised.
You will receive a draft for discussion. We review your questions and agree the final version before signing. Afterwards, we explain which preservation, registration or further execution applies to your document.
Know in advance what to expect.
06 · FEES
You want to know in advance what to expect. That is why we clearly and transparently discuss what work your file requires and what fee applies. We take into account the nature and complexity of your question, the documents to be examined and the time a careful handling requires.
We determine in advance which documents are necessary and explain any additional document costs. If a notarial deed is required, we first discuss the adjusted assignment and costs. When the law requires a notarial deed, a private agreement does not suffice.
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Substantive background: notaris.be · Cohabitation Agreements
General explanation for preparing your meeting. Foreign ties, previous documents and your concrete situation may change the outcome. Sources and legal explanation.