A cohabiting couple is a couple who live together in a secure and intimate relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership with one another, often referred to as a ‘common law marriage’. According to the Office of National Statistics the number of cohabiting couples increased to 24.3% in 2021 however, unmarried couples have very little rights compared to married couples if the relationship breaks down. The law does not entitle an unmarried couple to make financial claims against one another as it would for a married couple. For example, assets such as property are not divided as they would be in a divorce and rely on different areas of law, Trust and Land law (TOLATA), to achieve the best results for individuals. If you would like more information on protecting your assets as an unmarried person, please contact us and one of our solicitors would be happy to offer you their specialist advice.
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