There is the misconception that couples living together have the same rights as married couples. This is known colloquially as ‘common law marriage.’ Even if you have lived as a couple for many years or have children together, unmarried couples don’t have the same rights as married or civil partners. There is no such thing as common law marriage in England and Wales.
More people are deciding not to marry these days than ever before. Increasingly children are born outside of marriage and more families are living together as cohabiting families and blended families. Because partners’ lives become entwined it makes things incredibly complicated if you do split up.
Without any legal protection, you are at a disadvantage, particularly if you’re the financially weaker partner because you have few legal rights and responsibilities if you part ways. You could also be at significant risk if your partner moves in to a property owned in your sole name, as they may be able to bring a claim for a beneficial interest.