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I’m moving in with my partner. What do I need to know?

Common law marriage

There is a common myth that unmarried couples who live together have the same legal rights as married couples because they are in a ‘common law marriage’.

There is no such thing as a common law marriage and unmarried couples actually have very few legal rights in comparison to married couples. This can lead to issues and uncertainties upon separation.

What is a cohabitation agreement?

Unmarried couples who are living together or planning on moving in together who wish to put in place financial arrangements in the event of a relationship breakdown can enter into a cohabitation agreement. This type of agreement generally deals with things like:

  • who owns what at the time of the agreement, and in what proportions

  • what financial arrangements you have decided to make when you start living together (if you are not already doing so) and

  • how financial assets should be divided if you split up.

    • Entering into a Cohabitation Agreement can mean that areas of potential dispute on separation are reduced or eliminated and the process of making such an agreement means that people have a chance to think and talk about how living together is going to work financially meaning that arguments about money are less likely later on.

    Content supplied by David Gray Solicitors LLP