Family law professionals reiterate calls for cohabitation reform

The consultation into proposed cohabitation law reforms has now ended, but family law professionals have once again emphasised the need for change.

These reforms are called ‘A Fairer End to Relationships’ and are intended to improve the legal and financial protections for unmarried cohabiting couples. The document setting out the possible reforms was published in June, but then the government decided that further consultation was required. Now professionals in the family law sector – including unmarried cohabitation solicitors in North Wales and England – have again spoken out in favour of them.

One of those professionals is the lawyer Jo Edwards. She stated the existing laws are not in sync with the realities of contemporary living. Edwards pointed out that non-married cohabitation is the type of familial situation that is growing most rapidly in this country.

She then went on to say a lot of these couples are convinced that ‘common law marriage’ is recognised by the law. When they find out this is not the case, it often results in serious financial consequences.

The family law organisation Resolution has spoken out too. It stated that changing the law for unmarried couples is of vital importance. Its Cohabitation Committee chair Graeme Fraser said this was something Resolution had been lobbying for over a number of years.

He added this was because many of its lawyers had seen the damage that the current legal situation does.

At Bennett Smith Solicitors, we guarantee a rapid response to all family law enquiries. Call our solicitors in Llandudno now.