Prenups are not just for married people anymore. As more and more young couples move in with each other, many are now negotiating agreements that are referred to as dating prenups. These legal documents are also legally known as cohabitation agreements or "cohabs." These type of agreements help modern age couples to sort out who gets what in the event of a breakup. The divorce rate is so high that people are just terrified at the prospects of getting married.

When a typical couple moves in together, they negotiate the usual household issues. Who makes the bed? Who handles the laundry? Who gets flat screen TV? However, there are more pressing issues if the relationship does not work out and if the parties separate. Who gets to keep the security deposit? How is the jointly purchased furniture split? Who gets to keep the cat or the dog? A cohabitation agreement addresses many of the common every day issues that people encounter if they live together. A cohabitation agreement or a pre-prenup forces you to realize that you are sharing just about everything with your life in partner. Making these decisions in advance is a healthy communication tool for many couples. Pre-prenups are something that more and more unmarried New Jersey-ites, hurt by painful and bad breakups are signing. They hope to protect themselves, their property and their pets from happily never afters.

It is always advisable to retain the services of an experienced family lawyer. However, times are tough now and many people are broker than a door knob. However, if you can't afford to hire a lawyer than even an informal signed document, or even mutually acknowledged e-mails can also serve as a binding contract. Cohabitation agreements can be basic agreements that cover basic issues such as splitting furniture and the security deposit. Alternatively, cohabitation agreements can be somewhat complex and address everything from real estate rights, educational expenses, to partner support, and the splitting of debts.