New Year, New Beginnings. This might include you moving in or purchasing a property with your partner.
Did you know that if you live with your partner and you’re not married or in a civil partnership, your legal rights are still affected by the fact that you live together?
Five things you need to know when moving in together but not married:
Common Law Marriage doesn’t exist – No matter how long you live together. You do not have the same rights as those who are married or in a civil partnership.
- Protect yourself by speaking to a solicitor about a Cohabitation Agreement – This will set out what happens to your house, possessions and money if you split up.
- If one of you dies, the other does not automatically inherit anything – So you need to think about making a will to set out your wishes.
- If you are renting and you split, you may not be able to stay in the property if the other person leaves.
- Finances can be difficult to resolve if you split or if your partner dies – It is really important to have both a will and cohabitation agreement in place that deals with these issues.
You need to consider your legal position and how your decisions will affect that going forward if you were to separate or if one of you was to pass away. We would always suggest that if you are moving in with your partner, you enter into a Cohabitation Agreement to protect your rights in the event of separation or death and also make, or update, your Will to reflect the current circumstances.
During the month of January, to celebrate new beginnings and the start of 2021, we are offering a fixed fee package for those who wish to have a Cohabitation Agreement and Will put in place.
For further information please contact our office on 01383 431 101 or email Danielle Stevenson (danielle@caritaslegal.co.uk) or Lorna Brown (lornabrown@caritaslegal.co.uk)
