Many couples decide to live together but not to marry. If these relationships break down, there are issues to resolve.

Family law solicitors for unmarried couples in Norwich & Norfolk.

For some, living together but remaining unmarried is the preferred option. However, not all relationships last a lifetime, and if yours breaks down, you may be wondering about the implications for your finances, property, and children. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a common law marriage, and unmarried couples don’t have the same legal rights and protection. But don’t worry. If you need help navigating family law as a member of an unmarried couple, our specialist solicitors are here to support you.

Norwich & Norfolk’s leading solicitors for unmarried couples.

It’s incredibly upsetting when a relationship breaks down, and even more so when have minimal rights to claim financial support or ownership of assets you believed to be shared. Our professional solicitors are here to guide you through your best next steps. Or, if you’re just embarking on a cohabiting relationship and are concerned about protecting your rights, we can craft and execute a comprehensive agreement to protect your interests now and in the future.

Cohabiting or unmarried couples don’t have the same legal rights as married ones – there’s no getting away from it. However, cohabitation is becoming increasingly common, with a large proportion of couples in the UK now choosing not to marry. Unmarried partners keep their assets individually, and when they separate neither one has claim over the other’s property.

If you are determined not to marry but want to protect your best interests before moving in with a partner, you can draw up a legally binding document with the help of a solicitor. These agreements are known as cohabitation or living together agreements and set out exactly what will happen if the relationship breaks down, including who will pay for what. To get started drafting yours, contact our expert team today for a free, no obligation discussion about your situation.

A cohabitation or living together agreement is a legally binding agreement made by a couple who want to live together but not to marry. This agreement will go through what will happen if the relationship breaks down, and can cover everything from financial commitments to each other in the future (e.g., maintenance payments) and who has ownership over certain assets like property or vehicles.

A cohabitation agreement is a great way to protect your best interests in the event of your relationship breaking down. When drawn up and executed by a professional family law solicitor and signed, these agreements are legally binding. They represent the only way an unmarried couple can have a legal claim over the assets of another in the event of a breakup. If you want to talk through the possibility of creating one for you and your partner, contact our specialist team.

There’s no such thing as a common law marriage, so you won’t be able to make any claims against your partner for spousal maintenance, a share of pensions, or any other assets. This of course will not be the case if you have a legal interest in them. The main asset that is often a point of contention in these cases is the property in which the couple lived. The law in relation to property rights can be complex. If you need help working out if you have a claim on a property, get in touch with us today.

Experienced family law solicitors in Norwich & Norfolk.

Hansells is a specialist family law firm with years of experience helping couples of all kinds navigate their legal rights. Unmarried couples have limited rights, but we can help you if you think you may have a claim. We can also help you set out a cohabitation agreement so both you and your partner enter into your relationship with open eyes, understanding exactly what will happen when it ends.

Get in touch with us.

For more information and a no obligation discussion, please complete the contact form or call us on 01603 615 731.

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Our Specialists

  • Consultant Solicitor

    Family

    Neil Stubbs

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    1 Neil Stubbs
  • Associate

    Family

    Emma Gallant

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    1 Emma Gallant
  • Solicitor

    Family

    Ana-Maria Munteanu

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    1 Ana-Maria Munteanu

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