Couples that live together (who are not married or in a civil partnership) can be at risk of overestimating the rights they have regarding shared money and property. When compared to spouses and civil partners, cohabitees actually have very few legal protections in this regard – and assuming otherwise can lead to huge problems in the future.
If you are cohabiting with your partner, or you are thinking of moving in together, it is crucial to explore what your legal rights really are. Taking some precautionary action now, such as making a cohabitation agreement, can avoid some very unpleasant surprises down the road.
Truth Legal can help you to get a sense of your legal position and to make a cohabitation agreement to protect you and your partner. We can offer you the expertise of a specialist family law solicitor, who will provide you clear, practical advice on your situation.
A belief that we encounter a lot is that cohabitees become protected by rights of ‘common law marriage’ after living together for a long time. This is simply not the case.
For example, you may think that your partner will be provided for if you pass away, or that certain property will be divided between you if you were to separate, but unless you have made proper arrangements, it may not turn out like that. It does not matter how long you have lived together either; cohabiting couples do not get anywhere near the same automatic legal rights as those enjoyed by married couples and civil partners.
There are many differences in the way the law treats cohabitees and spouses/civil partners. The following highlights some of the major ones:
Truth Legal can advise you fully on how your situation might be affected by the above as a cohabitee. We can also guide you in arranging your joint affairs in ways which you would both prefer. One option for this is to make a cohabitation agreement.
A cohabitation agreement (also known as a living together agreement) is a legal document which sets out how both of you have agreed to arrange matters in the event that you separate.
A cohabitation agreement can be a great way to provide certainty to your legal rights in the relationship. Although it is never pleasant to think about separating from your partner, it can be a helpful precaution to prevent legal difficulties from causing extra distress and upheaval at an already painful time.
However, cohabitation agreements must be drafted properly, with the advice and help of a solicitor specialising in family law. This is to ensure that the agreement is legally binding and has exactly the effects you both intend it to have.
The law around unmarried cohabiting couples is uneven and complicated. Unfortunately, getting your legal arrangements wrong, as cohabitees, could have enormous financial and personal consequences.
With something so important, it is vital to seek the right support and to instruct the right solicitors to help you. Truth Legal can call upon the expertise of experienced, specialist family lawyers, to give you the peace of mind that your legal position is safe.
We are trusted by many clients with their legal matters, and our excellent Trustpilot reviews show how hard we work to ensure that trust is repaid. We are based in Harrogate and Leeds, and serve clients nationwide.
To make a cohabitation agreement, or for further advice about your legal position as a cohabitee, get in touch with Truth Legal today.
Truth Legal was founded on the idea of putting ethics at the centre of legal services.
Ethical working is at our core: in treating people fairly, being open and honest, and taking social responsibility. We sponsor a large section of woodland near Harrogate, planting a tree for every one of the clients we represent.
We believe a good lawyer shouldn’t just offer technical expertise, but a real understanding of what you’re going through and how best to help you.
Above all, our team are dedicated to their clients – whether that is guiding them through legal complexities, securing compensation, or simply fighting for what’s right.
We won’t blind you with jargon – we give advice clearly. And when technical terms can’t be avoided we explain them in full.
In contrast to some firms, we don’t overload our lawyers with cases. Our team provide clients with a more personal service, meaning we can dedicate the proper time to your matter.
Just read our client reviews to see what a difference this can make.
Head Office
14 Victoria Avenue
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG1 1ED
Harrogate 01423 788 538
Leeds 0113 483 1200
© 2022 Truth Legal Ltd is registered in England & Wales (08031477), VAT Registered (135 2552 31),
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (568741).
Website by browndog.agency
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
_gat_gtag | 1 minute | Google uses this session cookie to distinguish users. |
_wpe-auth | 1 minute | WP Engine uses this session cookie to distinguish users. |
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
_ga | 2 years | This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors. |
_gid | 1 day | This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visited in an anonymous form. |