My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost 2 years. I trust him completely but have reservations to bring this topic of cosigning a lease together. We want to move in together this fall or early next year, but I haven't talked to him about this yet.

Part of the reason I don't feel comfortable cosigning is a suggestion from my brother-in-law, sister and mom, who have all gone through terrible experiences where they've trusted their people, but in the end, it got nasty and money was an issue. Basically, we don't know what will happen and if we break up, someone will be liable. And it could get messy. And it's best to cosign when we are married.

I'm 29 going on 30 but have never lived with a partner. Right now, he has his own place and I give him money when he needs it for rent, groceries, bills, etc. He plans to move in with his parents to pay down some things when his lease is up while we decide when we want to move out together.

I understand where my family is coming from... they want me to be wise and make a good decision. I do trust myself and my partner, but they have a point. My partner, on the other hand, wants me to have equal responsibility and see what it's like to say this is my share of the rent.

What should I do about it? What do I say when I bring this up to my boyfriend? Eventually we will have to talk about it.