Our experienced cohabitation solicitors help you protect your legal rights and financial interests as an unmarried couple. Whether you're planning to move in together, need a cohabitation agreement or are facing relationship difficulties, we provide practical legal guidance at every stage.
Many couples today choose to live together, either before marriage or as an alternative to marriage. But cohabiting couples don’t enjoy the same legal rights as their married counterparts. While many people believe they acquire ‘common-law marriage’ rights if they live together for some time, this is actually a myth.
Our cohabitation solicitors advise on how to set up the right agreements now to avoid disputes in the future. We also support separating couples to resolve property ownership and financial matters fairly.
We assist with:
- Creating cohabitation agreements that cover financial and practical issues
- Protecting your interests in property through Trust Deeds and other options
- Planning for your future with a Will
- Dealing with property or financial disputes
Legal support for cohabiting couples
When you move in with your partner, the last thing you want to think about is the end of your relationship. But there are no automatic legal rights in place for cohabiting couples, which can become an issue if you separate or if one partner passes away.
We listen to what you want to achieve and explain your options, helping you find the right arrangements for your specific situation.
Property rights for unmarried couples
Property ownership can be complex for an unmarried couple. This can be particularly tricky if the property is in one person's name, as it's up to the non-owner to prove any contributions that may give them an interest in the property.
Our cohabitation solicitors discuss the best way to protect your interests, including:
- Legal options for buying property together as an unmarried couple.
- Drawing up a Declaration of Trust (also known as a Trust Deed) to detail the share of ownership and financial contribution of each party, whether they are listed on the property title or not.
- Creating a cohabitation agreement to cover financial and other practical issues.
Understanding cohabitation agreements
A cohabitation agreement provides clarity and security for cohabiting couples. This confirms who owns what and how this would be divided if you were to separate.
Our cohabitation solicitors help you create a legally binding agreement that:
- Defines property ownership and financial contributions
- Sets out arrangements for shared responsibilities
- Protects individual assets and investments
- Establishes clear arrangements for children
- Covers practical matters like pets and household items
We go through a checklist of what to include in your cohabitation agreement and discuss what’s important to you, so you can feel confident in your arrangements.
Planning for the future
There are no automatic inheritance rights for cohabiting couples, so it’s important to think about how you can provide for your partner and any children after you’re gone.
Our solicitors advise on:
- Writing a Will that reflects your wishes
- Making property arrangements
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
Legal support when unmarried couples separate
Separation can be more complicated as an unmarried couple, leading to difficult disputes as you need to rely on the general law of contract, property and trusts to resolve issues.
Our cohabitation solicitors help you understand your legal position to achieve a fair and practical outcome, so you can move on positively.
Property disputes
We advise on how to establish your property rights, with expert legal support to:
- Prove your interest in shared property
- Make TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) applications if needed
- Negotiate property settlements
- Protect your financial contributions
Financial matters
Unlike married couples, cohabiting partners need specific evidence to support financial claims. Our solicitors provide expert guidance on how to:
- Document financial contributions
- Resolve disputes over shared assets
- Handle joint debt issues
If you have children together, we can secure financial provision through the Children Act, including:
- Housing for the child until they reach adulthood
- Lump sum payments for significant expenses
- Regular payments for expenses beyond basic maintenance
Expert cohabitation solicitors
Our specialist family law team are experienced in supporting unmarried couples with all aspects of living together and separation. We understand the unique challenges cohabiting couples face and provide practical, cost-effective legal guidance on the best way forward.
We’re recognised as experts in our field by leading legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, so you can feel confident we know what we’re talking about. Most importantly to us, our expertise is reflected in the positive feedback we receive from our clients.
Find out how we can help you
Whatever your situation, the first step is to contact us for a chat. Our cohabitation solicitors offer a free first meeting - get in touch with us today using our online enquiry form below or call us at one of our offices.
Get in touch via our easy online form
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