cohabitation solicitors

Nowadays it is much more common for unmarried couples to live together (cohabit, in legal terms) with several million such couples living together in England and Wales.

Most people think that after they have been living with their partner for a couple of years, they become 'common law husband and wife' with the same rights as married couples. This is not the case. There is no such thing as ‘common law marriage'.

Married couples and civil partners enjoy significantly more legal protection than couples living together. To find out more about your position as an unmarried couple please see our article: Living together/unmarried couples.

However, if you are living together as a couple, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your partner. For example you could enter into a cohabitation agreement. This agreement would provide a clear outline of the arrangements you have agreed as a couple from the outset and can minimise the chances of a dispute in the future.

Despite the rising popularity of cohabitation agreements they are still relatively rare and a legal debate remains as to the extent of their enforceability. To reduce any challenge to the validity of your agreement certain steps must be taken, for example, it is important that both of you have independent legal advice.  For more information please see our article: Cohabitation agreements.

If you would like further advice or would like to arrange a free initial consultation please contact Tony, Rachel or Anne on 01752 668246 or by clicking on the enquiry button above and to the right.

If you are looking for a cohabitation solicitor in Plymouth, Plympton, Plymstock and the surrounding area, choose the Plymouth cohabitaion solicitors, Gard & Co. Solicitors.