A shared home is not a shared life.

In the romantic ideal of a partnership, sharing a home before marriage feels like a natural and exciting next step. But when it comes to the legal and financial realities, the situation can be far more complicated than a simple cohabitation agreement. Without the legal protections of marriage, buying a house with someone you are not married to can be a financial minefield, a decision with a host of unexpected risks that can lead to devastating consequences if the relationship ever falters. This isn’t a pessimistic view; it’s a clear-eyed look at the potential pitfalls of an optimistic decision.