Cohabitation & Unmarried Couples

There is an increasing number of couples who are choosing to live together without being married or entering into a civil partnership. Sadly, however, they often do not realise that they do not benefit from the same rights and protections under English law as married couples. Their respective financial claims are often limited to complex property and trust laws.

Cohabitation Disputes

Disputes often arise where one party has made a significant or unmatched financial contribution towards the purchase of a property and, for whatever reason, this was not reflected on the title deeds at the date of purchase. There are also often situations where one party has acted to their detriment based upon an agreement or assurance that they would acquire an interest in a property owned by the other, but this has not been properly documented.

Further issues arise where the unmarried couple have children together and the application of strict property and trust laws alone would leave one parent unable to meet their children’s needs, particularly their housing need. It is important that you seek advice from a family lawyer without delay if you find yourself in this situation.

We are regularly instructed to prepare Cohabitation Agreements dealing with how property and other assets should be divided in the unfortunate event of separation. Such agreements are designed to provide certainty, transparency and an overall fair outcome should a co-habiting couple decide to separate.

Specialist Cohabitation Solicitors

We can advise and assist you with preparing a Cohabitation Agreements which will provide you and your partner with certainty and security in the event of a separation. We specialise in drafting Cohabitation Agreements at the start of a cohabiting relationship in order to reduce the prospect of costly and acrimonious litigation in the unfortunate event of a separation.

Our family lawyers will also be able to guide and advise you through the uncertain and complex state of the law where such agreements have not been entered into, to include situations where you have had children together in which case different considerations and factors apply.

Get in touch with a member of the team for more advice and guidance.