{"id":141,"date":"2017-07-17T13:33:46","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T13:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wembleysolicitors.com\/blog1\/cohabitation-agreement-what-you-should-know\/"},"modified":"2017-11-02T12:30:15","modified_gmt":"2017-11-02T12:30:15","slug":"cohabitation-agreement-what-you-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wembleysolicitors.com\/blog\/cohabitation-agreement-what-you-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Cohabitation Agreement \u2013 What You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

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According to a\u00a0report\u00a0published by the National Office for Statistics, cohabiting families have grown by 29.7 percent, between the years 2004 and 2014.<\/p>\n

This type of family is one the fastest growing families in the U.K. however, cohabiting couples do not have many legal rights, unlike their married counterparts. The financially weaker partner most often finds themselves in hot water. This is true for women who are dependent on their partners and have children.<\/p>\n

Once the couple decides to end their relationship, the partner who is financially dependent will have to find ways to support themselves. This also includes property that both are living in.<\/p>\n

Why Opt for a Cohabitation Agreement <\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n

When married couples divorce, both have legal rights to the property they have invested in. This can be solved through legal claims. If one has paid the mortgage or taken care of the children, they have the legal right to file for a property claim.<\/p>\n

But for those in a cohabitation relationship, the legal process works differently. Common-law spouses are not considered to be actual married couples in the U.K.<\/p>\n

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If your partner owns something, you cannot make a claim. Similarly, if both partners have invested in certain things, the financially stable partner gets to make the claim.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it\u2019s important to sign a cohabitation agreement.<\/p>\n

What Can You Include in a Cohabitation Agreement?<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the event that you leave your partner, a cohabitation agreement can help make the legal process simpler. You can include the following in your agreement:<\/p>\n