Cohabitation Dispute Solicitors

Cohabiting couples are the fastest-growing family type in the UK, yet they have far fewer legal rights than married couples or civil partners. When a cohabiting relationship breaks down, disputes over property, finances, or living arrangements can quickly become complex and emotionally charged. Our experienced family law lawyers are here to help you resolve cohabitation disputes with clarity, compassion, and legal precision.

We offer:

• Clear, practical legal advice
• A compassionate approach focused on your needs
• Expertise in complex property and trust law
• Support with mediation and other non-court dispute resolution options and, where necessary, court proceedings or arbitration.

Whether you’re facing a dispute or want to prevent one, we’re here to help you resolve the issues and move forward with your life.

Cohabitation disputes arise when unmarried individuals who live together—whether as romantic partners, friends, or relatives—disagree over shared property, financial contributions, or other responsibilities following a separation. Common issues include:

• Who owns or has rights to the family or shared home
• Division of jointly owned property or assets
• Financial contributions made by one person to a property in the other’s name
• Disputes over children or shared responsibilities
• Claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA)

It is a common misconception that unmarried couples in a relationship have rights as ‘common law’ partners. However, unlike married couples or couples who have entered into a Civil Partnership, cohabitees do not have automatic rights to property or financial support, even after years of living together. That’s why expert legal advice is essential.

Cohabitation disputes often involve children, especially when both partners have played a parental role. We provide empathetic, practical legal advice on:

• Child arrangements such as where your child/ren should live and how often they should see each parent
• Parental responsibility – the rights and responsibilities you have in relation to your child/ren
• Child maintenance and financial support

We understand that disputes can be particularly emotionally charged where children are involved. Our goal is to prioritise the welfare of your children while protecting your parental rights, and to help you reach agreement with as little stress as possible.

One of the best ways to avoid future disputes is to have a cohabitation agreement in place. This legal document sets out:

• Who owns what at the start of the relationship
• How those assets and property will be divided if you separate
• Financial responsibilities during the relationship

If you already have a cohabitation agreement, we can help you enforce its terms or deal with any necessary reviews or amendments. If not, we can advise you on your rights and help you reach a fair resolution.

Our specialist cohabitation lawyers offer a full range of services to help you resolve disputes fairly and efficiently, including:

• Legal advice on cohabitation rights and property ownership
• Negotiation and other non-court dispute resolution options to help you reach an amicable agreement
• Court representation where litigation becomes necessary
• TOLATA claims to assert a beneficial interest or request a sale
• Advice on trust interests
• Drafting or enforcing cohabitation agreements

We tailor our approach to your unique circumstances, always aiming to avoid unnecessary conflict and protect your long-term interests.

Property is often the most contentious issue in cohabitation disputes. You may have:

• Bought a home together but disagree on how to divide it
• Contributed to mortgage payments or renovations without being a legal owner
• Lived in a property owned solely by your partner

We can help you determine the extent of any interest you have in a property whether owned jointly or in one person’s sole name, and advise on your legal options.

There may be occasions when a court will need to be asked to order the sale of a property or to determine each person’s share and, if this is necessary, we can refer you to our Disputes team for further assistance.