The government has begun a consultation concerning reforms that would improve the legal standing of cohabiting couples.
If these proposals come into force, they will make a big difference to couples who are not married. At the moment, they have limited financial protection if their relationship collapses. They also do not inherit the estate of their partner after death, unless specified in a Will. The reforms being proposed by the government would change both of those things.
They would grant automatic rights to inherit and make both post and pre-nuptial agreements into legally binding contracts. A couple will be classed as cohabiting when they have a child or have resided together for a minimum of three years.
The consultation process will involve experts in family law across North Wales and England. The government is arguing the reforms would bring family law into the modern age, where many committed relationships do not involve marriage.
It is a viewpoint shared by lots of people working in family law. Sital Fontanelle works at Kingsley Napley LLP. She was quoted by Today’s Family Lawyer as saying:
“Increasing protection for cohabitating couples is long overdue. It is no longer tenable to say parties wanting protection should simply get married because with declining rates of marriage, especially amongst younger couples, many are losing out.”
She went on to add that surveys show there is majority support among Britons for reforms.
If you need the help of expert family law solicitors in North Wales, give Bennett Smith a call today.
