Taking professional legal advice right at the start can ensure the process follows a constructive path and ensures you get the very best advice to protect your interests.

Although many couples want to deal with their financial decisions as if they are married, the law does not give cohabiting couples the same rights as those who are married. Cohabiting couples can only make limited claims after separation. Without marriage, for example, there is no possibility of claiming maintenance for the adults concerned or for claims relating to pensions and savings.

You will need to decide what happens to any property in joint ownership and it is possible to force the sale of property if necessary. Where only one party owns a property, however, the situation is very different.

If the relationship involves children, it is possible to ask for a Court Order to ensure that the children remain in the family home with the primary carer while they are still at school. In most cases couples can reach agreement about this without intervention, but if not, it may be necessary to go to court.

As experienced family lawyers, Harris & Harris can offer a range of options for negotiating an agreement regarding these matters and set out clearly what your rights are regarding property ownership and the division of assets. We can also help manage emotional arrangements concerning the care and maintenance of children.