Starting your life together
on a clear footing
Clear advice to protect what you each bring to the relationship, and plan for the future together.
Moving in together or getting married is exciting. A little planning now can protect you both.
When you move in together or get married, your finances and your futures become linked. You may be bringing a home, savings, a business or children from a previous relationship, and it is sensible to think about how those would be treated.
At ALA Law, we help couples understand their rights and put clear agreements in place. We’ll explain your options in plain language and help you both feel secure about the future.
What you might be facing right now
You don’t need to have the answers today. You just need a clear first step.
What does it mean legally?
Protecting assets
Children from before
Talking about money
Buying together
The areas of law that may apply
Starting a life together can raise a few different legal questions. We’ll help you see which ones apply to you. You don’t need to work out which of these applies – that’s our job. One conversation and we’ll map it out for you.
De facto relationships
De facto couples generally have similar rights to married couples if they separate, which is important to understand before you move in.
Binding financial agreements
A financial agreement, sometimes called a pre-nup, can set out how property and finances would be divided if the relationship ended. Each person must get independent legal advice for it to be binding.
Owning a home together
Joint tenants and tenants in common are treated differently, including when one owner dies.
Updating your Will
In NSW, getting married generally revokes an existing Will unless it was made in contemplation of the marriage, so it is important to update it.
Powers of attorney and guardianship
Choosing who can make financial and health decisions for you if you are unable to.
Blended families
Making sure your Will and agreements look after your partner and any children from earlier relationships.
How we guide you through it
We help couples plan calmly and fairly. Agreements work best when both people feel heard, so we keep the process respectful, practical and clear.
Articles
Planning your Wills together?
You don’t have to work this out alone
Talk with a family lawyer about protecting what you each bring to the relationship.