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Family law

Cohabitation lawyers

Cohabiting couples often think that they are 'common law' spouses with shared rights over property and money. The fact is that you need a cohabitation agreement and perhaps a declaration of trust to protect you both if you split up.

Meet our family law and divorce experts

Many of our family law solicitors are considered leaders in the field with a significant amount of expertise.

Georgina Chase - Head of Practice - Family Law

Georgina Chase

Head of Family Law

Jennifer Brunt - Principal Lawyer

Jenniffer Brunt

Principal Lawyer

Rebecca Cliff

Solicitor

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What is cohabitation?

The term ‘cohabitation’ refers to a couple who are in a relationship and living together but are not married or in a civil partnership. Such couples have fewer legal rights than married couples or civil partners, so it is important that you are aware of your rights if the relationship breaks down or your significant other passes away.

What are my rights when I'm cohabiting?

There's a quite dangerous myth many cohabiting couples still believe that after a few years you become 'common law' spouses with the same rights as married couples.

The fact is that if you aren't married or in a civil partnership, you will both be left in a very uncertain position over things like property and money should you ever decide to go your separate ways.

Even if you have joint ownership of a property and similar incomes, things could become very complex and difficult in the event of a split. That's why our experienced family lawyers generally recommend that cohabiting couples enter into a cohabitation agreement as early as possible in their relationship.

What is a cohabitation agreement?

A cohabitation agreement sets out what you both intend to do regarding your property and money if you should ever split up. For example, one of you might own the property and have a tidy sum in a pension fund, while the other doesn't.

If you should split up in later life, that could leave one of you in a very insecure position, even if you have spent 20 years contributing to household expenses and other costs. Similarly, if you own your own home, you might want to make absolutely sure that it's protected if your relationship ends after just a few years.

Therefore, if you don't want to get married, but you do want your relationship to be on a firm and fair footing, why not ask one of our friendly family lawyers to explain the benefits of a cohabitation agreement?

Speak to our cohabitation lawyers

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

How our cohabitation lawyers can help

Our experienced cohabitation agreement lawyers have the expertise you need to protect your rights, including:

Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online today and we will call you.

Why choose Slater and Gordon’s cohabitation lawyers?

Moving in with your partner can be a very exciting time, and no one wants to think about what could happen if things don’t work out. However, a cohabitation agreement can provide important legal protections in difficult circumstances, making it an important step to take. Our friendly cohabitation lawyers are here to make the process as simple as possible.

Led by our head of family practice, Georgina Chase, our family law team has received recognition and numerous accolades from the legal industry. Georgina herself is ranked in the independent legal directory Chambers and Partners, and many of our team are recognised in the Legal 500.

We are proud members of Resolution, an organisation of family justice professionals committed to promoting a constructive approach to family issues and have office nationwide so we’re able to bring our expertise to your doorstep.

Speak to our cohabitation solicitors

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

Expertise

We are an award winning law firm and have a dedicated team of family solicitors to advise and guide you – no matter how complex your situation may be.

Affordability and advice

We offer affordable, expert legal advice on divorce and child arrangements. Book a consultation for clear guidance and next steps. Our assessment helps you understand your situation and make informed decisions. Consultation charged at £150 for 45 minutes.

Tailored advice

We understand that family situations differ – so we are able to provide tailored advice and guidance to suit your individual needs.

Local access

We are a national law firm, with legal experts available locally across the UK. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.

Speak to one of our family law experts today

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Frequently asked questions about cohabitation

Do you need a solicitor for a cohabitation agreement?

A cohabitation agreement aims to give both you and your partner legal protection in the event of a relationship break down or one of you becomes ill or passes away. To ensure that the agreement achieves this and works as intended, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal expertise when drawing up the document.

How much does a cohabitation agreement cost?

The exact cost of a cohabitation agreement can vary, depending upon the level of input you require and the extent to which you and your partner agree on the conditions it sets out. However, it is worth bearing in mind that, if your relationship was to breakdown and you do not have legal protections in place, you could end up paying much more for legal representation after the fact.

What evidence proves cohabitation?

To get a cohabitation agreement, you and your partner will need to be able to prove that you are living together. Evidence could include a rental or lease agreement, letters addressed to both individuals at the property, or joint utility bills such as gas, electricity and water.

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