Stowe Family Law
- Cohabitation agreement or Declaration of Trust: Which is best?If you’re weighing up a cohabitation agreement or a Declaration of Trust, the answer depends on what you’re trying to protect. This guide, put together by our cohabitation law experts, explains the key differences and helps you work out which document is right for your situation. For many couples moving in together, the question of which... […]Judit Kerese
- What happens when an unmarried couple with children split up?Splitting up when you have a child but aren’t married raises several legal and practical questions – and the answers aren’t always what you’d expect. Our cohabitation solicitors in the UK explain your rights around children, finances, and housing in England and Wales. What rights do unmarried couples with children have in the UK? Unmarried couples with... […]martha holland
- Should nuptial agreements be made legally binding?In England and Wales, nuptial agreements are currently not automatically legally binding, though they can hold weight before a court in the event of a dispute, if they are properly prepared. In this article, expert prenup lawyer Figen Demiri explains the potential impact of legally binding prenups. Why are nuptial agreements so popular? Nuptial agreements... […]Figen Demiri
- What rights do cohabiting couples have on inheritance?If you’re living with your partner and haven’t made a Will, your inheritance rights may be far more limited than you think. Our UK cohabitation law specialists explain what the law actually says, and what you can do about it. Do unmarried couples have automatic inheritance rights in the UK? Unmarried partners have no automatic right to... […]James Leach
- What happens to the joint mortgage when you split up but are not married?Separating is hard enough without uncertainty over your home. If you own property together and are not married, your rights may be more limited than you expect. Our cohabitation law specialists in the UK can help you understand where you stand. What happens to a joint mortgage when you split up and are not married? The mortgage... […]James Leach
- What is a commitment ceremony?A commitment ceremony lets you celebrate your relationship publicly –without the legal status of marriage. As experts in UK cohabitation law, we explain what it means, what it involves, and how to protect yourself legally. What is a commitment ceremony? A commitment ceremony is a formal but non-legally binding celebration in which two people (or, in... […]Ciara Pugh
- What is an enduring family relationship in family law?The Government has recommended in ‘A fairer end to relationships’ that unmarried couples in an ‘enduring family relationship’ should be given legal rights that reflect their contributions to a shared life in the event of separation. Cohabitation expert Ciara Pugh explores what this could mean. What is the legal definition of a family? The law... […]Ciara Pugh
- Can your adult children give you permission to be happy again?It can be really hard to tell your adult children that you are getting divorced. You may feel guilty, especially if you’ve remained in an unhappy relationship ‘for the kids’. In this article, divorce coach Jennie Sutton, Untying the Knot, explains what it felt like to be released from that pressure. “Mum, you don’t have... […]Jennie Sutton
- What rights are there for unmarried couples with children?If you’re an unmarried couple with children, you’ll need to understand your rights and the protections available in the event of separation. By the end of this article, our UK cohabitation law experts will explain what you need to know. What rights do unmarried couples with children have in the UK? Unmarried couples with children in the UK have clear legal rights regarding their children, because the law in England and Wales... […]Samantha Farndale
- Debunking divorce myths: “I’m in a common law marriage”Millions of couples in England and Wales believe common law marriage gives them legal protection, but there is no such thing as a common law marriage. Our cohabitation specialists in the UK explain what the law actually says, and what you can do about it. Does common law marriage still exist in the UK? No, common law marriage was abolished in England and... […]Rachel Joyce