Michelmores Family Law Service
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Financial Issues for Unmarried Couples on Separation
As an unmarried couple, if your relationship breaks down and you separate, your legal rights in some areas are rather different to your married counterparts.
Dividing Finances on separation
For the purpose of dividing finances, there is no such thing as a ‘common law husband’ or ‘common law wife’. As such, there is no duty on either of you to pay maintenance for the support of the other, and any claim that you may have on property depends on how it is legally owned, how it was purchased and what the contributions and intentions have been in respect of it throughout your relationship.
Many of the financial problems experienced by unmarried couples can be overcome with a little forward planning. We can advise you about the availability and suitability of cohabitation agreements, pre-nuptial agreements and pre-civil partnership registration agreements if you intend to marry or register your civil partnership, and can advise you as to the suitability of Declarations of Trust specifying your ownership.
For children issues on separation please see our separate dedicated page.
