Nexnet

Abbie Churchill, a family law specialist at Raleys Solicitors in Barnsley, said the new figures show the need to introduce legislation which gives co-habiting couples the same legal rights as married couples.

 

“The law in this area has been neglected and overtaken by the changes in our society,” she said. “Couples who are cohabiting do not have the same legal rights as married couples in the event of a relationship breakdown and can risk serious financial hardship. Outside marriage, there is no provision to ensure there is a fair division of assets, such as a home, which can leave many people, especially women and children, in dire straits.

 

“There is a fear that introducing new laws to financially protect unmarried couples will undermine marriage. Surely the most important issue here, particularly when children are involved, is to ensure both parties can leave a relationship in a financially stable position.”

 

Figures published by the Office of National Statistics on Thursday showed that the number of cohabiting couples is projected to rise by 1.5 million, from 2.3 million in 2008 to 3.8 million in 2033. During the same time, the number of people who are married is expected to decrease, falling from 49 per cent to 42 per cent.

 

 

 

Issued on behalf of Raleys Solicitors, www.raleys.co.uk, by Nexnet PR, 8 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2DS, www.nexnet.co.uk. For further information call Nexnet on 0113 247 0029 or email paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk, joanne.mead@nexnet.co.uk or sophie.mccandlish@nexnet.co.uk