Family Law

The number of cohabiting couples across the UK now stands at 3.3 million, making it the fastest growing family form, and it has become the norm for first partnerships.

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Cohabitation: Law Practice and Procedure provides commentary, checklists, procedural guides and precedents on the subject in a single volume. The 7th edition is available to order here.

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In many respects, legislation has provided safeguards and remedies that place cohabitants in a similar position to those who are married or in a civil partnership. Yet, in other respects, such as property and financial provision, there has been a reluctance to do so.

The context of cohabitation is increasingly diverse, with socio-economic factors, religion and ethnic background all playing important roles in the decision whether or not to marry. However, the ease with which a couple can opt for cohabitation, consciously or by default, belies the complexity that often attends the termination of their relationship.

Many expensive arguments could be avoided if cohabitants could be persuaded to take appropriate advice at the outset, whether as to beneficial interests on the purchase of the shared home or by the formalisation of agreed terms in a properly drafted cohabitation agreement. The advice that cohabitants need reaches into all aspects of legal practice. ‘Prevention is better than cure.’

The new edition of Cohabitation: Law, Practice and Precedents provides a clear and authoritative exposition of the law, both contentious and non-contentious, with guidance on practice and procedure, precedents and checklists to assist practitioners when dealing with the particular requirements of those who are neither married nor in a civil partnership. It will be an invaluable reference for all those advising at every stage of a cohabitation relationship.

'the only work specifically on cohabitation to combine informed and authoritative commentary with checklists, procedural guides and precedents, all in one single volume' (Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers)