Most people think that if you live with your partner for a couple of years you get the same rights as married couples. But this isn’t true. Couples who live together have hardly any rights automatically.
On these pages we explain exactly what rights couples living together really have, and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves and their families from whatever the future holds.
Introduction
Despite popular belief, couples who live together have hardly any rights compared with married couples or civil partners. This article is an overview of what happens when unmarried couples split up or when one dies.
Moving In
Moving in with your partner is exciting. But where you move into, and how you pay for things affects your rights. It's important to know how, so that you can ensure your partner doesn't always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.
Housing
Living with your partner, whether you rent or own your home, can sometimes play havoc with your housing rights. It is best to know the score so that you can ensure you and your partner will always have a roof over your heads.
Children
If you’ve got kids but are not married, you may not realise that your rights and responsibilities as a parent might be affected. We explain in this section where you stand, and what you need to think about.
Money and benefits
We explain how living with your partner affects your benefits and the amount of tax you have to pay. We also look at money and debts, and whether you are financially responsible for eachother.
Wills and inheriting
Two thirds of people in the UK die before they make a will. If you are cohabiting, you cannot afford to be one of them. Without a will, your partner won't automatically inherit anything from you, no matter how long you've been together...
Inheritance tax
Inheritance tax is no longer just a problem for the filthy-rich and it is particularly a problem for cohabiting couples. In this guide, we show you what you can do to avoid leaving your partner with a whacking great Inheritance...
Pensions
We explain how you may encounter problems with your pensions because you are not married and what you can do about it. It also shows you what to do now to ensure you and your partner will both be ok in your retirement, whatever...
Breaking up
As the song says, breaking up is ‘hard to do’, and never is this more true than for couples who live together. Whether you and your ex are angry and bitter or managing to stay on fairly ok terms, it's never easy to sort things...
Next of kin
Ever worried how the hospital would treat you if your partner had an accident or became ill? Would they understand that you are the closest person to your partner? Would they treat you as next of kin?
Is the law going to change?
There has been some discussion about changing the law but don't get your hopes up, it now looks very unlikely ...
Have we been helpful? Could you help us in return?
If you have found this website helpful could you make a donation to help us keep this website up and running? We are a small charity and rely on donations and sponsorship. If you can’t afford to make a donation we would be very...
Popular downloads
Problems downloading? Download help
Have we been helpful? Could you help us in return?
If you found this information helpful could you make a donation to help us keep this website up and running. We are a small charity and rely on donations and sponsorship. If you can’t afford to make a donation you could help in other ways – by writing to your MP to ask them to support our work, or by telling your friends about us. If you are a Facebook user you could share this page (see below).
Married or not - One Plus One
Married or not looks at the differences between marriage and cohabitation, what your rights are, and how to raise some of the trickier issues with your partner.
One Plus One are partners in the LivingTogether project,
Tell us about yourself!
We want to know a bit more about the people who use our site, to help us improve it. Can you spare a few minutes to tell us a bit about yourself in complete confidence? Take the survey here:Tell us about yourself!
Get advice
Need help with a problem? Find advice services and solicitors near you who can help you solve your problem. Many people are able to get free help and advice.
