It is important to get legal advice as quickly as possible. Our experienced family law team can help you develop a separation agreement that will clearly define how you will share your common property and who is responsible for unpaid debts. It has no influence on your ability to return with your partner at a later stage, so it is worth considering a separation trial period. It is important to know if you have parenting responsibilities if you are in a single couple and you are separating. Unmarried couples with children should consider in particular the willingness to take financial precautions and provide for guardianship of children in the event of the death of one or both parents. Many cohabitants do not know that under English law there is no common law husband or wife – living together for a period of time, even if it is many years, does not mean that roommates acquire the same rights and obligations as a married couple, nor do they have access to the remedies available to married couples after the breakdown of their relationship. While this may naturally be suitable for many couples, it may, in certain circumstances, make partners vulnerable if the relationship breaks down. In the case of property disputes, property and land rights are applied. This does not provide for unmarried partners in the same way that the law is applied as part of a financial equalization of divorce. However, you could agree on a separation agreement to set financial rules and rules for children if you separate. We advise many unmarried families on their rights and rights to relationship breakdown, which are most often related to property and children. Separation agreements or separation decisions can be used by both married and unmarried couples who separate.
If you have lived with your partner but are not married, you are legally “cohabiting” as a “union.” When unions separate, they are not treated by law in the same way as married couples who aspire to divorce. It doesn`t matter if you`ve been living together for months, years, even decades: unions have far fewer rights arising from their relationships. Unlike a court order, a separation agreement (also known as a separation decision) is not legally binding or enforceable. However, if the agreement has been reached between partners who have both received independent legal advice and there has been full and open financial disclosure, the agreement can guide the courts in all future litigation arising from litigation. If you need more detailed advice on separation contracts after a separation, call us (01228) 829530 to agree on a first consultation or request a free reminder. Pensions: Associations may have to review each pension plan. Payments to unmarried couples are often considered discretionary, which means that directors will control financial dependence and take an opinion on the payment.
