Cohabitation

You have fewer financial rights as a cohabiting couple than you do as a married couple as there is no legal definition of cohabitation or living together. This obviously makes things more complicated in the event of separation and can increase the stress during an already difficult time.

One of the most persistent of urban myths is that of the ‘common law marriage’. For some reason the belief that couples living together have the same protection and rights under the law as married couples is wide spread and unfortunately just not true. Don’t get caught out!

rhw can advise on how you can formalise your arrangements so that all parties have certainty and an element of protection. Don’t rely on the ‘it will never happen to me’ approach, as there are many, many people who have cohabited and then found themselves in a situation with very little in the way of legal protection when things go unexpectedly wrong. It’s not always about a relationship breakdown. People can unexpectedly die or get seriously ill and unable to make decisions. In those situations you can find yourself having to deal with third parties you may not know or even particularly like.

rhw solicitors have a knowledgeable and compassionate team of Family lawyers that will help mitigate risk through legally binding agreements and, if you have no such agreement in place, can advise and assist you during the difficult separation process. Call us on or complete our contact form.