Living together? Let’s make sure you are protected

Moving in with a partner is an exciting step. It’s a time full of new beginnings - but it’s also worth thinking about how to protect yourself if things don’t go as planned.

Unlike married couples, cohabiting partners do not have automatic legal rights. There’s no such thing as a “common law marriage” in England and Wales, no matter how long you have lived together.

That’s why it’s important to understand your rights and consider putting clear agreements in place from the start.

What happens if you separate?

If your relationship ends, the law treats cohabiting couples very differently from married ones:

You don’t have an automatic right to your partner’s property or assets
Each person keeps what’s in their own name
Joint assets are divided equally
There’s no right to financial support from your ex-partner (except for child maintenance)

However, if you have made financial contributions or agreements during your relationship, you may still have a claim. We can help you understand your position and what steps to take.

Why consider a cohabitation agreement?

A cohabitation agreement is a legal document that sets out what happens if your relationship ends. It can help avoid confusion, conflict, and costly disputes.

It can cover:

Who owns what (and how it will be divided)
How bills and debts are shared
What happens to joint bank accounts
Child maintenance arrangements
Any other financial agreements

You can create a Cohabitation Agreement before or after moving in together. Either way, it’s a smart step to protect both of you.

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