24 FAQs about cohabitation and cohabitation agreements.
- What legal status does a common law spouse have?
- Wouldn't drawing up a cohabitation agreement harm our relationship?
- What should a cohabitation agreement cover?
- Should our cohabitation agreement include relationship rules, such as who does the housework?
- Can we use an informal cohabitation agreement or does it need to be a legal document?
- Is a cohabitation agreement legally enforceable?
- Will a cohabitation agreement have any effect if we later get married?
- What is the legal position if my partner and I live in a property that one of us owns?
- How can I ensure that my rights in relation to a property I share with my partner are legally enforceable?
- What is the legal position if my partner and I live in rented property?
- How is ownership of possessions affected if my partner and I live together?
- Are assets my partner and I buy together automatically jointly owned?
- How do shared expenses affect how assets are divided if my partner and I break up?
- How can I ensure that my partner and I are not liable for each other's debts?
- What rights and responsibilities do I have for my partner's children?
- How can I give my partner the same rights and responsibilities for my children as a natural parent?
- How can my partner and I protect ourselves in case one of us suffers from major long-term illness?
- How can I ensure that my partner inherits if I die, with any inheritance tax minimised?
- Can I ensure that my partner is entitled to my pension and any other company benefits if I die?
- How often should my partner and I review our cohabitation agreement?
- How are cohabitation agreement disputes resolved?
- Is the legal position on cohabitation likely to change?
- Is the legal position on cohabitation the same for gay and heterosexual couples?
- Is there any advantage to registering a civil partnership?
1. What legal status does a common law spouse have?
A 'common law spouse' has no special legal status. You are either married (or in a civil partnership) or not. The situation used to be somewhat different in Scotland but isn't any longer (though cohabiting couples do have some basic rights if their partnership ends).
If a relationship breaks down, being a 'common law' wife or husband does not give you the right to claim against your ex-partner for maintenance or a share of their assets. However, it may be possible for a parent to make a claim on behalf of a child they continue to look after.
2. Wouldn't drawing up a cohabitation agreement harm our relationship?
Not if you approach it in the right way. Avoid looking at the cohabitation agreement as a way to protect yourself if the relationship breaks down or as a lack of faith in longevity of the relationship. Instead, use drawing up the cohabitation agreement to work through key issues in your lives together. Handled sensitively, this can strengthen your relationship.
In some relationships, one partner has the most income or assets. If the cohabitation agreement is designed solely to protect their financial position if they split up, the other partner may resent it. On the other hand, an agreement that provides some financial protection for the less wealthy partner can increase their sense of security and happiness within the relationship.
3. What should a cohabitation agreement cover?
Financial issues are key to a cohabitation agreement. It should include what rights each partner has regarding property you live in, who owns other assets and who is responsible for any debts. It's also common to explain how expenses will be shared while you live together.
Where you have children, either jointly or with a previous partner, the cohabitation agreement should also address this.
4. Should our cohabitation agreement include relationship rules, such as who does the housework?
You may want to discuss such issues while preparing the cohabitation agreement. For example, if one partner works and the other looks after the home, you might want this reflected in the way you agree financial issues should the relationship break down. You might agree that the 'house-partner' would be entitled to a share of assets or maintenance, as happens in divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership.
It is sensible to state how expenses will be shared. However, it is not generally wise to include rules on behaviour, partly because it would be very difficult to specify exactly what is being agreed in legally enforceable wording (what housework must be done, to what standard, etc). Attempting to include such rules is likely to undermine the agreement's clarity and enforceability. Instead, deal with such issues between yourselves. If you have to call in a lawyer every time someone leaves the washing up, your relationship is in trouble!
5. Can we use an informal cohabitation agreement or does it need to be a legal document?
An informal cohabitation agreement will almost certainly not be legally enforceable. Some aspects may also need to be supported by legal documentation: for example, to ensure that your partner inherits in the event of your death.
More broadly, preparing a formal agreement provides a useful framework for considering all the areas that need to be addressed.
6. Is a cohabitation agreement legally enforceable?
A cohabitation agreement is a contract between you both. To be legally enforceable, it must have been made with the intention of having legal force - the agreement can say so. The document should detail what you are agreeing. It must also be 'executed as a deed', signed in the presence of witnesses.
Even so, a cohabitation agreement may not be enforceable if it is unfair. To maximise the chances that it is enforceable, you and your partner should both take independent legal advice. You must also be open about your individual financial positions when you enter into the agreement.
Finally, you should note that the agreement will not overrule other legal rights and requirements. This is particularly the case if children are involved.
7. Will a cohabitation agreement have any effect if we later get married?
If you get married (or register a civil partnership), your cohabitation agreement might be taken into account by the court if you later divorce (or dissolve your civil partnership).
A better solution is for the cohabitation agreement to specifically state that it automatically comes to an end if you get married. If, at that time, you want to have a similar agreement, you can draw up a prenuptial agreement.
8. What is the legal position if my partner and I live in a property that one of us owns?
There are several possibilities:
- One of you might be the sole owner and not want the other to have a share in it. The non-owner would normally have no rights to remain if asked to leave by the owner.
- One of you might be the sole owner but now want the other to have a share in it.
- You own the home together as a 'joint tenancy'. When one of you dies, the other automatically inherits the home.
- You own the home as 'tenants in common'. Each of you owns a stated percentage of the home. For example, you might choose percentages that reflect how much each of you contributed to the purchase price. You can each leave your share of the home in your will to your partner, or to anyone else.
You should ensure that your cohabitation agreement clearly states what you have agreed. You may also need to draw up an appropriate deed to put this into effect.
9. How can I ensure that my rights in relation to a property I share with my partner are legally enforceable?
Ensure that what has been agreed is written into the cohabitation agreement. You may also need to draw up an appropriate deed of trust, setting out your rights to the property and what will happen if you split up. Make sure your wills clearly state what will happen when either of you dies.
Normally, appropriately drafted documents of this kind will ensure that your rights and wishes are respected. However, the situation can be more complex if there are (non-adult) children involved. They have rights that cannot be overruled by an agreement between you and your partner. For example, if you break up and your partner will continue to look after the children, he or she might be able to apply to the court for an order allowing them to continue living in the property, even if you are the sole owner.
10. What is the legal position if my partner and I live in rented property?
If you are joint tenants, you have equal rights and responsibilities.
Problems can arise where the tenancy is in only one name. The other partner will not normally have any rights to stay in the property if asked to leave by the named tenant, though it may be possible to apply to the court for short-term protection from this.
If the named tenant dies, the other partner will usually have the right to take over the tenancy. This may not be the case, however, for same-sex couples unless they have registered a civil partnership or it is specifically permitted by the tenancy agreement.
In any case, the best solution is often to convert a sole tenancy to a joint one. This can be done if the existing named tenant and the landlord both agree.
11. How is ownership of possessions affected if my partner and I live together?
Unless you have agreed otherwise:
- if you owned something before you started living with your partner, you still own it;
- if you buy something with your own money, it belongs to you alone;
- if you are given something or inherit it, it belongs to you alone;
- if you buy things together, they are jointly owned.
12. Are assets my partner and I buy together automatically jointly owned?
When you buy something together, it will normally be jointly owned, but not necessarily equally:
- If you purchase the asset using a joint bank account, it will normally be owned in equal shares. If your cohabitation agreement states that you each own a different share of the joint account (such as 60/40), you will each own that share of the asset.
- If you purchase an asset together, but pay separately, you will normally own the same proportion of the asset as the proportion of the price you paid.
If you choose, your cohabitation agreement can set out different rules. For example, you could agree to own everything equally regardless of who pays for it, or you could agree to treat specific named assets differently.
13. How do shared expenses affect how assets are divided if my partner and I break up?
Ownership of assets is normally determined by who paid for the assets rather than overall contribution to joint living expenses. You can, however, include different rules in your cohabitation agreement.
If either partner contributes to the costs of buying and maintaining the home you live in, this is likely to give them a claim to own a share of the home. If you intend the property to be solely owned by one of you, the cohabitation agreement should clearly state that any financial contribution made by the other partner is a payment towards general living expenses and not for the home.
14. How can I ensure that my partner and I are not liable for each other's debts?
Normally, you will only be liable for your partner's debts if you agree to be: for example, by borrowing money in joint names or by giving a personal guarantee.
Regardless of what you have agreed, both the utility companies and the council have the right to pursue both partners living in a home for unpaid utility and council tax bills.
15. What rights and responsibilities do I have for my partner's children?
If you are the child's natural parent, you automatically have a financial responsibility for that child.
The child's natural mother automatically has parental responsibility for the child. This means, for example, that you can choose your child's name, how the child is brought up and so on. You also have the right to look after the child's property on their behalf (until the child becomes 18).
You, as the child's natural father, also have parental responsibility if:
- you are registered on the child's birth certificate as the father (for births registered from December 2003 onwards);
- you re-register the child's birth, with the mother's consent, adding your name as the father;
- you marry the child's mother (either before or after the child's birth);
- you make a parental responsibility agreement with the mother and have it witnessed by the court;
- you obtain a parental responsibility order (if the mother refuses to enter into a parental responsibility agreement with you) or a child arrangements order.
If you are not the natural father of your partner's child, you do not have any automatic rights or responsibilities. You can apply to the court for a child arrangements order giving you parental responsibility.
Note that if your relationship breaks down, both partners have the right to ask the court that the child should live with them or that they should have contact, regardless of whether they have parental responsibility. The court will decide what is in the child's best interests.
16. How can I give my partner the same rights and responsibilities for my children as a natural parent?
You must apply to the court for a child arrangements order. Normally, this requires the consent of anyone who already has parental responsibility for the child. If, for example, you were married to the child's natural father and he is still alive, you will need his consent. The court will also need to be satisfied that the child arrangements order is in the child's best interests.
It may also be possible to get a child arrangements order without the consent of another individual with parental responsibility, provided the child has been living with your partner for three of the last five years, or if the court gives you permission. But getting a child arrangements order can be difficult and expensive if someone with parental responsibility opposes your application.
If you cannot get a child arrangements order (or feel that it would be too difficult), an alternative is to appoint your partner as the child's guardian. This helps to ensure that your child stays with your partner if you die, unless another individual with parental responsibility disputes this.
17. How can my partner and I protect ourselves in case one of us suffers from major long-term illness?
Like any other couple, you should make appropriate financial arrangements. The best solution will depend on your circumstances. For example, if one of you is the major earner, you may want to take out insurance in case that person can no longer work.
If you want your partner to take responsibility if you become incapable of making decisions, draw up a lasting power of attorney to that effect.
You may each want to consider drafting a 'living will' expressing your preferences should you become terminally ill. This can include a statement that you would like the doctors to consult your partner if appropriate. You may also want to ensure that your partner is named as your next of kin, for example, on any medical forms. While neither of these steps will necessarily have legal effect, in practice they should help to ensure that medical staff treat your partner as if they were your spouse.
18. How can I ensure that my partner inherits if I die, with any inheritance tax minimised?
Unlike married couples or couples in a civil partnership, your partner will not automatically inherit. You must have made a will saying what you want your partner to inherit. Make sure this protects your partner's right to continue living in your home (assuming that you want this).
If your estate's value is above the threshold, your partner will be liable to inheritance tax. There are numerous ways you can minimise this liability. For example, you can own the home jointly (so that only half the value of the home falls into the deceased partner's estate) or you can make use of 'potentially exempt transfers' by gifting assets while alive. Inheritance tax planning can be complex and you should take advice.
The most effective way to reduce inheritance tax is to marry or register a civil partnership. Any assets your spouse or civil partner inherits are automatically free from inheritance tax.
If there are children, consider whether you want assets to pass to them, rather than to your partner. For example, if you own the house (or part of it), you could leave it to the children, but give your partner the right to live in it until death. Otherwise, the house will be part of your partner's estate when they die, and could be liable to inheritance tax again.
19. Can I ensure that my partner is entitled to my pension and any other company benefits if I die?
Your partner's entitlement to your pension will depend on the pension scheme's rules. Some schemes offer benefits to an unmarried partner. Similarly, your employer may extend benefits such as health insurance to unmarried partners. Consult your employer's HR department/manager or pension scheme trustees to find out the rules. Where appropriate, tell them of your wish that your partner should benefit if you die.
If you are not married or in a registered civil partnership, your partner is not entitled to any state pension benefits or bereavement allowances based on your National Insurance contributions.
Note that if you are arranging a private pension (or other benefits such as life insurance), ensuring that your partner is also covered will increase the cost substantially
20. How often should my partner and I review our cohabitation agreement?
It is good practice to review your cohabitation agreement every five years, or whenever there are any major changes in your circumstances - in particular, when a child is born.
21. How are cohabitation agreement disputes resolved?
It is good practice to include a dispute-resolution procedure in your cohabitation agreement. For example, you might agree to try mediation rather than going to court.
In any case, it is almost always better to negotiate a resolution, rather than going to court where costs can become very high.
22. Is the legal position on cohabitation likely to change?
It has become increasingly common for couples to cohabit rather than marry and it is generally accepted that the current legal position is far from ideal. We may see changes to the law over the coming years.
It is a good idea to review your cohabitation agreement periodically, even if your circumstances have not changed, to ensure that it is still appropriate given any changes in the law.
23. Is the legal position on cohabitation the same for gay and heterosexual couples?
Not always. For example:
- If you live in accommodation rented in your partner's name, you will not usually have the right to take over the tenancy if your partner dies unless you have formed a registered civil partnership or it is specifically allowed by the tenancy agreement.
- Some private pension schemes (and other financial arrangements) will not cover same-sex couples unless they have formed a civil partnership. Employers, however, are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. If your employer offers benefits that cover unmarried partners, these must also be offered to gay couples.
You can, however, use an appropriate cohabitation agreement, wills and so on in the same way as a heterosexual couple.
24. Is there any advantage to registering a civil partnership?
A civil partnership gives similar rights and responsibilities to those of a married couple. For example, civil partners have a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for their partner (and any children). They are also treated in a similar way regarding benefits, pensions and so on.
Same-sex partners also have the option to get married.
Registering your relationship may well be a good way of helping to protect your partner. For example, a registered partner is in a stronger position if you die without leaving a will naming them as your inheritor. However, it will still make sense to prepare a cohabitation agreement and other appropriate documentation (such as a will).