Cohabitation Agreements

An estimated 25% of the population of England and Wales are living with a partner to whom they are not married and this figure continues to grow yearly. Under current legislation, there are is no law to govern what happens to an individual property if the relationship unfortunately breaks down.

A key point to understand is that, if you or your partner are not married or in a civil partnership, you have no legal right to each other’s property, savings or other assets if you separate.

It is therefore sensible for cohabiting couples to make arrangements for what would happen to their shared home, how their finances would be divided and other key issues that would need to be considered in the event of separation.

Our family law team at Braddon and Snow can help you with a range of issues dealing with cohabitation and make the law in this area easy for you to understand. Our expertise includes:

  • Using cohabitation agreements to set out what should happen in the event of separation
  • Using separation agreements to agree how to divide your finances, what happens to your home etc. if you have already decided to separate
  • Advise on the use of cohabitation agreements during a separation
  • Resolving disputes between unmarried couples during a separation

Why choose our cohabitation solicitors?

We offer an initial appointment of £125.00 plus VAT during which our family lawyer will discuss your requirements, explain your options and advise on the likely costs involved.

Our family lawyer is a member of Resolution, which is a network of family lawyers committed to removing unnecessary conflict from family law. This reflects our focus on dealing with family legal matters in a constructive, non-confrontational way.

From our local offices in Hoddesdon and Broxbourne, we work with clients across Hertfordshire, plus a growing number of clients throughout England, Wales and abroad.

Our team are happy to speak over the phone, via email or through videoconferencing for your safety and convenience.

Speak to our family lawyer for cohabitation law advice in Hoddesdon or Broxbourne

For a friendly, informal discussion about how our family lawyer can help you with any aspect of cohabitation law, please get in touch:

How we can help with cohabitation law for unmarried couples

Making cohabitation agreements

Whilst no-one moves in with a partner with the expectation of the relationship failing, it is prudent to consider setting up a cohabitation agreement to set down some financial and practical guidelines.

A cohabitation agreement, signed by all parties before or during a cohabitation, can help clarify the arrangements as to who will be responsible for what during the relationship. A cohabitation agreement can further stipulate what arrangements shall be made for the children upon separation, or what will happen to any joint accounts and property which you own or have an interest in.

Our family law team can draft a cohabitation agreement that meets your requirements, as well as assisting with negotiations between partners to create an agreement both are happy with.

Reviewing cohabitation agreements prepared by a partner

If your partner has asked you to sign a cohabitation agreement they have had prepared, our team can provide independent legal advice on whether the agreement is fair and will match your needs in the event of a separation. Where required, we can support you in discussing the agreement with your partner to make any necessary amendments.

Using cohabitation agreements during separation

If you are separating and have a cohabitation agreement, we can advise you on how this will affect the division of your assets and any other issues covered by the agreement. Should you feel the terms of the agreement are unfair, we can talk you through your options.

Making a separation agreement for unmarried couples

If you have separated and no cohabitation agreement exists, you and your ex-partner can still sign a separation agreement. Like a cohabitation agreement, a separation agreement can confirm, for the avoidance of doubt, the arrangements for the children or the financial arrangements.

A separation can be a very emotional and traumatic experience and therefore having a separation agreement can ease the stress surrounding the ending of a relationship. Our team can assist you with negotiating the terms of a settlement agreement and draft the agreement for you.

Resolving disputes between unmarried couples

Should you and your partner decide to separate and find you cannot agree on the practical details, our team can help you work through these issues in a constructive way. We are highly experienced in dealing with disputes such as those over who has what interest in the family home, or any other property brought into the relationship.

Our cohabitation law pricing

Fixed cohabitation law services

Some matters, such as drafting a straightforward cohabitation agreement, can be dealt with on a fixed fee basis, where appropriate. This means you will know the exact cost involved at the outset.

Hourly rates for legal advice for unmarried couples

For more complex work, we will typically work to an agreed hourly rate. We will provide a realistic estimate of costs and keep you updated about expenditure, so you always remain in control of the costs involved.

Speak to our cohabitation lawyer in Hoddesdon or Broxbourne

For a friendly, informal discussion about how our family lawyer can help you with any aspect of cohabitation law, please get in touch:

 

What our clients say

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