In an article for Today's Family Lawyer, Associate Lisa Payne, discusses the evolving landscape of family units in the UK, highlighting a significant rise in cohabitation.
According to recent ONS data, the proportion of people living in cohabiting couples has increased from 20.6% in 2011 to 24.3% in 2021, a trend that Payne believes will only continue. Lisa points out the common yet incorrect belief in 'Common Law Marriage' among cohabitants, a misconception that could leave one partner particularly vulnerable, especially in terms of inheritance and property rights. Lisa also touches on the complexities introduced by children from current or previous relationships. With the Labour Party proposing reforms to cohabitation rights, the need for legal vigilance and education is more pressing than ever.
Family lawyers are encouraged to guide clients through the intricacies of property ownership, wills, and potential legal disputes. Lisa emphasizes, "If I were a betting woman, I’d put money on that figure increasing in the 2031 census," underscoring the inevitability of this shift and the urgent need for reform to protect those involved in these increasingly common arrangements.
Read the full article here.
