De facto cohabitants often get blunted in court: “If one partner invests in the other’s real estate, it is best to make an agreement”

It is best for de facto cohabitants to draw up an agreement about any divisions at the end of their relationship because a discussion afterwards often leads to nothing, according to an analysis of 778 judgments and rulings. Family law lawyer Natasja De Hondt and tax specialist Ive Rosseel provide advice. “A preferential allocation of the home against a surcharge, as is possible for married people, does not exist for de facto cohabitants.”

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