
Simon Mortimer
Head of Family
Personal Family
Living Together
3.3 million UK households now include couples living together i.e.
couples who are not married or in a civil partnership. According to the
Office for National Statistics, the number of cohabiting couples has
doubled in the last 20 years.
It can come as a shock to many cohabiting couples to discover that they do not have the same legal rights as married couples or couples in a civil partnership, even when the relationship has lasted many years. This can often cause difficulty if the relationship ends or if one of the partners dies, especially if there is property involved.
A cohabitation agreement is one of the most effective ways to minimise problems in the future for couples living together. A standard agreement sets out:
- who owns what at the beginning of the relationship;
- your financial arrangements while you are living together; and
- how property will be divided if the relationship ends.
A
cohabitation agreement is particularly important if the couple’s main
home is owned by only one of the couple and if one has considerably more
in assets than the other.
We would always agree fees with you at the outset, especially if we felt your needs were complex.
Making a will should also be a priority for cohabiting couples with shared property. Find out more on our wills, probate and trusts pages.
Getting Married?
Should you decide the time is right to marry or enter a civil partnership, Burnetts can advise on pre-nuptial agreements.
Splitting up?
Further information on how we can support you through a separation can be found on our divorce and separation pages.
If
you would like to know more about cohabitation agreements or any other
aspect of your legal rights whilst living together, Burnetts’ family
lawyers offer the first meeting (of up to one hour) at a heavily
discounted rate of £210 including VAT. (Payment needs to be made either
before or immediately after the appointment.) Appointments are available
at our offices in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Newcastle or Penrith.
More In This Section
- Overview
- Divorce And Separation
- Divorce And Separation FAQs
- Collaborative Family Law
- Financing Your Divorce
- Dealing with Finances (property, maintenance, pensions, business)
- Expats
- Farming Divorces
- Family Business
- Divorce and Older Couples
- Living Together
- Cases Involving Children
- Children Law FAQs
- Adoption
- Child Support / Maintenance
- Special Guardianship
- Emergency Applications
- Surrogacy
- Prenuptial Agreement
Get In Touch
Want to know more about Living Together? Contact us to find out more.

Simon Mortimer
Head of Family

Vikki Porthouse
Associate Chartered Legal Executive

Emma Armstrong
Associate Solicitor

Charlotte Seymour
Trainee Solicitor
Alex Terry
Trainee Solicitor
Vikki Porthouse
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Vikki is an Associate Chartered Legal Executive in Burnetts' Family team
Charlotte Seymour
Trainee Solicitor
Charlotte is a Trainee Solicitor in Burnetts' Family team