Living Together

Cohabitation in Britain has doubled in the past six years. Most couples now live together before marriage, some never intend to marry at all, and about 25% of births now being registered in the UK are to unmarried couples. Yet few people realise that by living together they put themselves, legally, in a precarious position regarding claims over common property and the sharing of children, should their partnership split up. Many believe they will have rights as a commonlaw partner, but commonlaw marriage has not been legally recognized in England and Wales since 1753. It is obvious that until the law catches up with social change many people need advice on the legal aspects of cohabiting. This book offers clear, practical advice on drawing up a contract to cover rights and obligations with regard to property, business, state benefits, debts and children. Such a document may not yet offer the same rights as marriage, but the authors are confident that most courts will repect it, and warn that without it you could lose more than a partner and lover when passion dies.