Co-Ownership Agreements
Buy property together, with a plan for owning it together
Buying a home or investment property with a partner, family member, or friend can make the purchase possible. But agreeing on a price is only the beginning. Who pays for repairs? How are different down payments recognized? What happens if one of you wants to move, sell, or buy the other out?
A co-ownership agreement lets you answer those questions now, while you're making decisions together, instead of later, when you may not agree. I help Colorado property owners put clear, practical terms in writing so everyone understands their rights and responsibilities from day one.
What your agreement can cover
The right agreement reflects your property, your co-owners, and how you plan to use it. Most agreements address:
Ownership and contributions. How title will be held (for example, as tenants in common or joint tenants), what each person contributes at closing, and how later contributions are tracked and credited.
Ongoing costs. Who pays the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, and improvements, and what happens if someone can't pay their share.
Use and decision-making. Who may live in or use the property, how major expenses and changes are approved, and how you break a deadlock.
Changes in ownership. Whether an owner can transfer their interest, how a buyout price is set, and when the property must be sold.
Life events. What happens if an owner moves out, passes away, or can no longer make decisions.
Sale proceeds. How debts, reimbursements, and remaining proceeds are divided when co-ownership ends.
Who benefits from a co-ownership agreement?
I work with unmarried couples, parents and adult children, siblings, friends, and investment partners who are buying property together or already own it. An agreement is especially valuable when:
Owners contribute different amounts toward the down payment or closing costs
Only one owner will live at the property
One owner expects to pay for significant improvements
The owners have different timelines for how long they want to keep the property
A clear process, before or after closing
1. Tell me about your arrangement.
We talk through the property, the owners, each person's contributions, financing, intended use, and the decisions ahead.
2. Put the terms in writing.
I draft an agreement that spells out how you'll share responsibilities, make decisions, and handle changes in circumstances.
3. Make sure everything fits together.
We review how the agreement works alongside your deed, loan documents, and any estate planning or entity documents, and I'll flag where you may need tax, lending, or estate planning advice.
The best time to have this conversation is before closing, while there's still flexibility in how the purchase and title are structured. Already own the property? We can build an agreement around the ownership and financing you have in place.
Common questions
What is a co-ownership agreement?
A co-ownership agreement is a written contract between people who own real estate together. It sets out how they'll share costs, make decisions, and handle a buyout, sale, or other change in ownership.
Does a co-ownership agreement replace the deed?
No. The deed establishes how title is held. The agreement governs the owners' rights and obligations to one another. The two should be reviewed together so they work consistently.
Is a co-ownership agreement the same as a cohabitation agreement?
No. A co-ownership agreement focuses on the property and the owners' financial and decision-making arrangements. A cohabitation agreement can address broader aspects of living together. Some couples benefit from both.
Can we sign a co-ownership agreement after we've already bought the property?
Yes. An agreement is easiest to structure before closing, but co-owners can put one in place at any time based on the title and financing already in place.
What if we contributed different amounts to the down payment?
That's one of the most common reasons to have an agreement. It can document each person's contribution and explain how those amounts are credited in a buyout or sale.
Make the plan together
Tell me who will own the property, where you are in the purchase or ownership process, and whether a closing date is coming up. After a conflict check, we'll discuss the scope of an agreement that fits your situation.