Cohabitation Agreements

What is involved?

When a cohabiting couple separate and their relationship breaks down, the law governing the situation is not the same as for married couples. The law treats cohabiting couples very differently, many people are surprised to hear that there is no such thing as a “common law” husband or wife.

Unmarried couples living together usually only have an interest in property if it is in joint names. If there is a dispute about joint property its legal ownership is often clear from the ownership deed.

Click here to download our Cohabitation print-out guide.

Why choose Freeths?

• We will prepare clear documents that detail how property is to be held by you both and what each of you will pay towards it
• Our nationally renowned family team will be able to identify any other issues that need to be considered
• We will deal with your situation sensitively and focus on what is right for you

Call us now to talk to our expert team and find out more about Cohabitation Agreements.

It is possible to make a claim against property owned solely by a partner but the law in this area is very complex and dependent on the circumstances.

Having a written agreement which sets out clearly what you intend to happen if a cohabiting relationship breaks down is essential and entering into a properly prepared legal document can bring more certainty.

A Cohabitation Agreement helps define a couple’s individual financial responsibilities within the relationship. It sets out clearly what interest each partner has in the assets and confirms what will happen if the relationship comes to an end. This document acts as a contract and carries significant weight in any subsequent dispute which the Court may have to decide upon.

We understand that it’s a difficult conversation to have with your partner, but it’s better to be prepared.