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Cohabitation: Setting up & Splitting Up

There is an increasing number of people who, rather than entering into marriage, prefer to live together, often buying property together, having children, and sometimes entering into joint ventures. Their legal rights and responsibilities towards each other are very different to those of married couples, and the law that is applied to such relationships is complex. There is no such thing as a “common law” spouse and advice on the separation of non-married couples is very different to that applicable to divorcees. We can fully advise if this occurs and also can draft agreements at the beginning of relationships to define the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and potentially save heartache (and legal costs) at a later date. For further information, read our guide to cohabitation.

For advice, contact Nicola Matthews on 0191 232 8345 or email nicola.matthews@hay-kilner.co.uk

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