Living Together Agreements

English Law does not recognise cohabitation as a defined legal status. As yet, very few rights exist for cohabitants however, in practice increasing numbers of the population live together without marrying.

The problems they face on relationship breakdown are often similar to those faced by couples who have married. The lack of a single statute to deal with cohabitants can make the task of resolving the problems very complex.

It appears likely that the law will change in this area in some respects but in the meantime cohabitants should try and put their relationship on a proper legal footing by entering into a cohabitation or living together agreement.

This will reduce the acrimony and litigation in the event of a breakdown in the relationship.