[Partnership with a cohabiter]

The complexity that comes with business partnerships is in many forms of its problems, and one of them is that of going in with a cohabiter. Cohabitation, by any standards, pose a huge challenge to society as a whole before we chop it into different categories of its entrants. The reasons behind it remains to date a distorted chord of risky notes to strike. Then now, if opt out of a partnership citing a partner’s living arrangement, what does it make one out to be?

Many businesses have gone under because of partners’ private issues and one of the deadly silent contributors that’s tolerated is cohabitation. At times it ain’t a bad thing to choose working with plainly single and married persons in that with them you know what you’re dealing with, though giving certainty only provided they are open and transparent about their personal hardships in their relationships freely. A steady business relationship works best where honesty in that front is commonly practised. 

A partner should be upfront with you on critical aspects of their affairs if in a cohabitation set up like how long they’ve been in that arrangement, or intend staying in it, or their exit plan out of it. It may sound like prying but it’s important. You ought to also be sure of their legal implications on your business in the eventuality of their split. What is their arrangement on the business front? Will there be any share split, or a walk-away deal of some sort? Truth is, whether like it or not, if people are living together their career paths tend to somehow get shaped by the other party’s input and during break-up find that element eventually making an unprecedented appearance in the whole fracas. Mind you, any change in their living arrangement may prove to sabotage your worth and future livelihood. So, bear such factors in the fore when in your decision stage on whether or not to partner.

In the midst of everything, does the cohabiter have a valid will? Life has no guarantees shelved in its offers, so be sure to ascertain of its existence if be assured it's sorted. It’s not wrong to quell any nerve of doubt, it’s your responsibility as a partner as you’re right to protect your interests at all costs. The issue of shareholding makes a comeback when considering the size of the cohabiter’s equity in the partnership. My little piece of a danger point that you need to be clear about is the risky tide you swim into, and that’s if the latter holds majority stake in the business. A majority to them is a serious red flag, fly away far as you can if no chance is there for you switching positions. Partner with a cohabiter on terms of them being the minority holder of equity or else risk your climb to the nearest highest peak for a free fall death jump. Partner with them only where there’re prospects of stability and certainty that favours your fortunes more than it does them, for in these ones you just have no choice but be outright selfish.      

In conclusion: it should be borne in mind that it’s not about judging anyone’s circumstances but rather sift-sipping calcium out of marrow. Cohabitation can go either way at any given time, and good is if it leads to marriage or be bad and lead to a split. The biggest headache challenge is its non-binding nature. If take a dive with partnering with a cohabiter, which gender would make a safer bet than the other and how, should be invited in your play of gamble.

I’m not saying people shouldn’t cohabit or not do business with cohabiters, no, I’m simply italizing  the consequential circumstances thereof. Again, thus not meaning it’s a wrong thing to do, whilst also not insinuating that business dealings with a single or married person is beneficial, certain and fruitful, but inherently highlighting key aspects of a business relationship with someone who’s in that particular living arrangement. Fact is, going into business with just about anyone a risk irrespective of a person’s social status, hence going in you should be protective of probable emotional blows on your disappointment. And but, however you can do to spare yourself, how protective is the cohabiter of you and the business in their set-up?...dp