General Information

Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues. The 'Living Together - Breaking up' section of their website provides a lot of useful information on your rights and options when you we separating from your partner.

Can we be seperated and still live in the same house? but theres always a but.

On 3rd November 2011, a briefing note of some 15 pages was prepared for MP's and uploaded onto the parliamentary website.  It is a first class summary of all the relevant law as it stands for people who live together.  I recommend it as essential reading for everyone who already lives with a partner and who is not married, and especially for anyone contemplating doing so.

Unmarried couples will be able to make divorce-style financial claims against each other after they have split up under under legislation planned by the government, the Guardian has learned.

The reform will come in a family justice bill which will also open the family courts to the press, subject to strict rules about anonymity.

This case has created serious publicity for what courts can do for the unmarried and separated, but is it of any help to you?

There is no such thing as 'common law marriage'. Heterosexual unmarried couples in England and Wales do not have the same legal rights as married couples. This website summarises the differences in the rights of cohabitees and those who are married.

This article explains how separation agreements work and why to use a separation agreement if you decide not to get divorced straight away.  A separation agreement can also be drawn for unmarried couples who have decided to separate.