Unmarried relationship breakdown

The phrases, "common law wife" or "common law husband" are popular terms often used to describe cohabiting couples who live together as man and wife.

In England and Wales, for legal purposes, these terms are misnomers and quite misleading because, except for in exceptional cases, cohabiting couples who are unmarried acquire no rights and have no responsibilities to one another.

We advise on all aspects of cohabitation and the issues that surface on separation, as well as on the drafting of cohabitation agreements.

We have extensive experience in dealing with issues of property ownership, paternity disputes and financial claims brought by unmarried mothers on behalf of children for capital and maintenance payments. We also deal with contact and residence disputes, issues relating to parental responsibility and disagreements over schooling and education.

Our priority is to ensure that we provide a service and offer solutions that are both compassionate and child-focused (Re Child X).