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Disclaimer:  This is not a legal document, just a family agreement. This document provides some key points when an adult child moves back home. One recommendation from our family counseling events was to draw up a contract that both parties could agree upon. I am sharing this through Google Docs so that others who may want to use the document and tailor it for their specific needs and can do so without being duped by companies selling formatted documents.  Many adult children are living at home...it is OK to create a family contract. They are adult children and want to be treated as such...then it is acceptable for you to set the guidelines for living in your home

Contract for an Adult Child (Enter Names)

Living in the ___(Enter Name)_____ Household

This contract is set forth on (Enter date) to establish rules for (Enter name of adult child) while living in the (Enter name) household.  This contract runs from (Enter date) until (Enter date) or before the above party leaves for another living situation.  The contract will be reviewed on (enter date for review 60, 90, 120 days) if the above party is still in residence. (Enter the name of the adult homeowner) reserves the right to change this contract at any time and, as a courtesy, will give (Enter Adult child’s name) 5 days’ notice before the change takes effect.  If there is a breach in compliance with any of the listed rules below, then (Enter Adult Homeowner) will allow 72 hours for (Enter Adult Child’s name) to find another living arrangement.

  1. Rent:  I know I will not be charged rent as long as I comply with the rules below and complete all the chores given to me.  If I choose not to participate in the chores I have been given, I will pay (Enter dollar amount) a month to cover rent and utilities.  If I do not pay rent immediately, fees and interest will be applied to the (Entered dollar amount). If I am disrespectful to my family members of the household, then I may be subjected to fines or extra chores.
  3. Cooking, laundry, and chores:  I agree to complete the following list of chores to help the household and avoid any rent charges. I will be responsible for doing my laundry once a week.  I am responsible for my room and will keep it orderly.  I will help with the cooking dishes and clean up after myself or others when the kitchen requires it.  Other chores to avoid paying rent include:
  1. Mowing the yard.
  2. Taking the trash cans to the curb.
  3. Wash family car once a week.
  4. Sweep/mop the kitchen floor once a week.
  5. Vacuuming carpeted rooms once a week.
  6. Cleaning the bathroom.
  7. Once a week, I prepare a meal at home for the family with groceries I purchase.
  8. Providing assistance when asked to help around the house.

Be as specific as needed. Tailor this section for your household.  Not sure of the labor rates? Check the DOL website or check the prices of local services.  Your adult child may discover a knack for a specific task, which may prompt them to start their own business.

  1. School:  I agree to attend school regularly and complete all my school work as stated by the syllabus starting in (Enter date). If I fall behind in my classes or schoolwork then I will put all of my effort into completing it.  If I withdraw from school, then I will be subject to paying rent.  

  1. Guests and quiet hours:  Household quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 5:30 AM unless otherwise arranged.  No overnight guests without prior arrangements.

  1. Work:  I will have a job while living in this household.  I will do everything I can to be on time and coordinate rides to my job if something happens to my car.  If I lose my job, I will have 2 weeks to find another one.  If I do not find one within this period, more household duties will be assigned.

  1. Vehicle:  I am responsible for paying for my gas.  If I cannot afford gas, I will procure rides in another fashion. I will start making my car payment and insurance on (Enter date).

  1. Cell phone:  I am responsible for paying for my cell phone.

  1. Respect:  I will be respectful to all members of this household, including speaking in an adult manner.  If I feel disrespected or family members consider my actions disrespectful, a family meeting will be called, and I can plead my case.  The family can then decide whether or not it is grounds for fines or more chores.  It is ultimately up to my parent to decide whether or not I will be subject to any consequences.

Use #9, if the adult child moves back into the home with a child or minor children.  It is acceptable to be specific.  They would be specific with childcare providers, just because you are the parent, the adult child should not expect you to know what to do or confuse the role of a grandparent as a full-time babysitter.  Document all concerns you used to have when your adult child needed childcare:  allergies, schedules for feeding, sleeping, medications, emergency contacts, and other important information.

  1. Childcare/Babysitting:  I will provide a work and school schedule to keep (Enter names of family members) informed of when I need childcare.  I will inform (Enter names of family members) of when I coordinate for (Enter names of minor children) to visit other family members for overnight and weekend visits.  Once a month, I will request a night out with friends and coordinate the date and time with (Enter names of family members) if I need childcare for the evening with at least 48 hours notice.

  1. Medical care:  I will abide by whatever specific medical situation, from counseling, weekly treatments, to physical therapy.

Item #11 is extremely important if you want your adult children to improve their fiscal responsibility.  There are plenty of financial blogs, shows, and counselors that the entire family can research and work together to improve financial responsibility.  Remember, you do not want them to return asking for loans or financial assistance or to take them back in because they did not learn the first time.

  1. Financial Counseling: I will seek financial counseling to resolve my indebtedness, which is impacting my current credit rating.  I understand that my indebtedness affects my credit for 7-10 years and will hinder my productivity as a responsible adult.  I will ask for assistance as needed and not wait until it is an event that impacts my credit report.

  1. Restitution:  I agree to pay (Enter name of the adult homeowner) and (Enter dollar amount) out of every paycheck for restitution while I work to regain my own adult lifestyle.  I will pay (Enter the name of adult homeowner) before spending money on my wants versus my needs.  

If I fail to abide by these rules, my parent/grandparent can and will take away privileges as deemed necessary, charge fees, or demand alternate living arrangements.

My parent/grandparent reserves the right to make exceptions to these rules based on valid justification or emergencies.  Exceptions will be noted and kept with this contract for the quarterly/semiannual/annual review process.

Adult Child’s signature                                                Date

Parent’s signature                                                        Date

Other Family Members/Guardians/Grandparent’s signature        Date