Moving In Together
Choosing to move in together is an exciting step for any couple. Many people are unaware however, how little the English legal system protects unmarried couples, even if they have been living together for decades.
At Nalders Solicitors, we have been helping cohabitees work through the legal matters which affect them for many years – whether this is before they take the plunge and move in together or further down the road if things have not worked out between them. With this experience, allied to our knowledge of the local region and our compassionate approach, by instructing our firm you can be confident of finding lawyers you can trust and depend upon.
How we can help
No matter what legal advice you need when moving in together or when splitting up after a period of cohabitation, our solicitors can help. Let us guide you through matters such as:
- Cohabitation agreements
- Wills
- Pre and post nuptial agreements
- Property Disputes
We operate fixed fee schemes in many areas of relationship management and breakdown which gives you absolute certainty of the costs involved from the moment you appoint us.
To find out more about how we can advise on moving in together, please fill in our contact form or phone 01872 241414 to be directed to your closest Nalders office.
Property Disputes
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing in English law as a ‘common law husband or wife.’ No matter how long a couple have been living together, if they are not married or in a civil partnership, the law offers very little protection.
For example, if you and your partner purchased a house together, and your partner is registered as the sole owner on the title, he or she can demand that you vacate the premises if you break up. This is regardless of how much money you paid towards the mortgage and any renovations. The only way you can claim any right to the property is to go to court and argue that you have a ‘beneficial interest’ in it. This can be an expensive and stressful procedure.
At Nalders Solicitors, we have years of experience in advising upon property disputes and how to resolve them as efficiently as possible.
Cohabitation Agreements
One way to avoid becoming an unwitting victim of the above scenario is to have a cohabitation agreement drafted before or shortly after you move in with your partner, stating how the assets and debts you each had before you got together and those you may acquire collectively, will be divided. A cohabitation agreement can also set out the responsibilities of each partner regarding the payment of rent and other bills while you are living together.
At Nalders Solicitors, we have years of experience in drafting and advising on cohabitation agreements and can draft a comprehensive document to protect your individual financial and personal interests. Our family law solicitors also advise those who have been asked to sign a cohabitation agreement.
Our team will consider not just your immediate situation but will encourage you to make decisions based on where you and your partner may be in two to five years’ time. We will also update your agreement as your circumstances change over time.
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