Cohabitation Agreements
The law relating to unmarried couples is complex and often misunderstood. Anyone living together should seek legal advice on how to protect their interests. We can advise on:
OWNERSHIP AND OCCUPATION OF PROPERTY
If a home is held in one partner’s name, the other partner does not have the right to continue to occupy it. They may be able to claim a share of the proceeds of the property on a sale, however, depending on whether they have reached an agreement with their partner and whether they have contributed to the value.
For cohabiting couples, who jointly own property, the landmark case of Kernott and Jones is a cautionary tale! In this case a Judge decided that Mr Kernott still owned 50% of the property, even though he had moved out 17 years previously, without making any further contributions to the property or the mortgage.
We can draw up binding agreements to set out a couple’s financial responsibilities to each other and their shares in joint property.
FINANCIAL PROVISION
Unmarried partners have no rights for maintenance or capital sums from their partner on the relationship ending. The partner who cares for any child of the relationship can seek maintenance on the child’s behalf through the Child Support Agency. They may also be able to claim capital sums for the child’s benefit through the court.
INHERITANCE
An unmarried partner does not automatically inherit their partner’s estate. It is therefore essential that unmarried couples make mirroring wills to ensure that they have control over what happens to their estate once one of them passes.
PRACTICE AREAS
What our Clients say
“Rebecca Martin is for sure a golden star at AMD Solicitors! She was super-efficient with emails and always being on top of things. This has made the whole sales process extremely smooth, to the point that even I was surprised on how quickly it all finished, when you consider how many nightmare stories you read around the internet regarding conveyancing and slow responding solicitors etc.
I cannot recommend her and AMD enough!”
“Thank you to Grant McCall, Laura Lynn and AMD Solicitors for the conveyancing work you recently carried out for the purchase of our house.
Your team were incredibly efficient and quick to get the process started, and as first time buyers who hadn’t been through the process before, were consistently patient and helpful in answering our numerous questions. Likewise, we were also very grateful for the advice and guidance Laura and her team gave to us about matters which we otherwise wouldn’t have considered or even known about.
As testament to the service provided the sale went through without any issues, and we have been very happily living there since, the perfect home for my wife and I and our small baby who arrived a short time after completion.
Since moving in, I have recommended AMD to a number of other friends, all of whom have been equally impressed with your service, and I will continue to do so. I look forward to working with yourself and AMD for all of our family matters over the years.”
06/11/2023
“AMD Solicitors excelled in looking after us on a recent residential property sale in Bristol. They were friendly, attentive, efficient, and supportive throughout. We have also worked with AMD on commercial leases, and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone needing a reliable solicitor in Bristol”
Mr B, August 2023
08/08/2023TALK TO OUR SOLICITORS
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