Putting cohabitation in the spotlight

OGR Stock Denton recently played host to a seminar to coincide with the recent Cohabitation Awareness Week.

The event was led by Graeme Fraser, a Partner at the firm who is also the national spokesperson on cohabitation for family law association Resolution.

While there remains a widespread misconception that cohabitees have rights as a result of ‘common law marriage’, the truth is that cohabitees enjoy none of the rights that married couples have and this can lead to a range of difficulties.

The seminar, aimed at legal professionals, looked at the challenges that cohabitees can face as a consequence of the lack of legal provision.

It also covered the steps that cohabiting couples can take to protect themselves, such as entering into a cohabitation agreement.

Graeme Fraser said: “Too many people still assume that there are automatic legal rights for cohabitees and that leaves a large number of couples vulnerable in a range of situations.

“My Resolution colleagues and I are keen to make the public more aware of the lack of legal rights enjoyed by cohabitees and the steps they can take to protect themselves.

“I was pleased that the participants at the seminar were so engaged with the issues at hand and the ways in which they can make a positive difference for their clients.”

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that cohabitees are the fastest-growing family type in the UK.

OGR Stock Denton has a wealth of experience advising on family disputes involving those relating to cohabitation. If you would like further information about our services, please contact Graeme Fraser (gfraser@ogrstockdenton.com) or visit our website.