LegalMatch Helps Co-Owners Formalize Shared Equity Agreements

With rise in unmarried couples and multi-generational households buying homes, LegalMatch connects co-owners with legal counsel to protect investments.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Housing affordability remains a major barrier to homeownership, leading to a rise in joint property purchases by unmarried couples, multi-generational households, and groups of friends. However, many of these co-owners lack the proper legal agreements to protect their shared equity investments. LegalMatch, an online legal matching service, is helping these 'Equity Partners' connect with real estate attorneys to establish contractual buy-out mechanisms, equitable accounting, and rights of first refusal - ensuring their shared investments remain flexible and protected.

Why it matters

As more Americans turn to co-ownership as a path to homeownership, the lack of formal legal agreements can lead to costly disputes down the line when one owner wants to sell or withdraw their stake. LegalMatch's services help co-owners proactively establish the necessary legal framework to safeguard their shared investment.

The details

Many co-owners default to 'Tenants in Common' or 'Joint Tenancy' agreements, which can result in expensive 'Partition Actions' if one owner wants to sell their share. LegalMatch connects these 'Equity Partners' with real estate attorneys to set up contractual buy-out mechanisms, equitable accounting of contributions, and rights of first refusal - providing a clear roadmap for their shared investment.

  • According to NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, unmarried couples and multi-generational households continue to make up large shares of home sales.
  • LegalMatch launched its co-owner legal services in March 2026.

The players

LegalMatch

The nation's oldest and largest online legal lead-generation service, headquartered in Reno, Nevada.

Ken LaMance

LegalMatch's General Counsel, who emphasizes the importance of co-owners establishing a clear 'operating manual' for their shared investment.

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What they’re saying

“Joint homeownership is essentially a long-term business partnership, and like any successful enterprise, it benefits from a clear operating manual. This goes beyond the question of 'what if,' it's to provide all parties with a transparent roadmap for their investment.”

— Ken LaMance, General Counsel, LegalMatch (LegalMatch)

What’s next

LegalMatch is encouraging co-owners to visit its website and submit case details to be matched with real estate attorneys experienced in handling the complexities of shared equity agreements.

The takeaway

As co-ownership becomes an increasingly common path to homeownership, LegalMatch's services help ensure these shared investments remain flexible and protected through the establishment of clear legal frameworks - a critical step in safeguarding the financial interests of all parties involved.