In line with Government guidelines for safe working during the COVID pandemic, access to our office is strictly by a pre-arranged appointment only, and only where absolutely necessary. We are open for business with some staff working in the office and others from home, they can still be contacted in the usual way either by telephone or email.

In respect of your pre-arranged appointment, if you develop symptoms of COVID, or have in the last 14 days come into contact with someone with COVID or symptoms of, we ask that you contact the office by telephone/email to arrange a new appointment or discuss if there is an appropriate alternative to your meeting.

The safety of our staff and clients is of paramount importance to us and so thank you for your continued co-operation during these unprecedented times.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation Solicitors

Cohabitation Agreement

Not every couple decides to get married. You may still own property or assets together though while you are living together and if you were to separate, you may not agree how these assets are to be divided. In addition, you may have property or assets which you may want to keep separate and protect for the future.

We are increasingly advising our clients to enter into cohabitation agreements, as they show a clear intention of how the finances will be dealt with during the relationship and after. We hope the latter will not be necessary, but unfortunately it is best to cater for every eventuality. They are like pre-nuptial agreements, but for cohabitants.

 

Cohabitation disputes

Many unmarried couples live with the assumption that if they have cohabited for a number of years they have similar legal rights to those couples that are married. This myth is normally referred to as ‘common law wife or husband’. This is not the case and the courts will not take into account the length of time you have lived together or even if one of the parties has contributed to the household by raising children and being responsible for the running of the family home.

If disputes arise between cohabiting couples – couples who are partners who live together but are not married or part of a Civil Partnership – we can give you practical guidance and advice.

Cohabitation disputes can arise not only with couples but also between friends or family members who have purchased property together.

If you need help with a cohabitation dispute, please get in touch with us.

 

Contact a member of our team today

David Hawley

Partner, Matrimonial / Civil Litigation

024 7651 4192

Samantha Chater

Solicitor, Family and Matrimonial

024 7653 1532