Cohabitation agreements can help resolve potential issues if you are an unmarried couple and the relationship breaks down at a later date. As a cohabitating couple, there is no comparable legislation to getting divorced. When in a cohabiting relationship, you may have many questions, such as:

• Can I protect myself financially in case we separate?
• What will happen about the house?
• What rights do I have in relation to the children?
• How are the bills to be paid now that we have split up?

A Cohabitation Agreement may not be particularly romantic nor very optimistic but such an arrangement could prevent months of litigation and save significant legal costs in the event of the relationship breaking down. 

If there is no cohabitation agreement then it is likely that the courts will have to rely on the law of trusts to resolve any property disputes, a notoriously complicated area of law in which skilled and specialised legal help is essential.  Harrison Clark has dedicated Cohabitation solicitors who can assist both with the creating of a cohabitation agreement and after a break up if an agreement is in place.

The day to day arrangements of any children and their care will need to be resolved, either by agreement, with the assistance of mediation or by the Court under the Children Act.  Although the Child Support Agency will deal with the maintenance for children it does not address the child's welfare, such as housing needs.

Should your relationship breakdown without any such cohabitation agreement in place, then we can help and guide you through your legal rights.