Living Together

Couples who are not married, even if they live together, are guided by separate laws, specifically related to home ownership and property law. There is much pressure on the government to adjust this policy but at the present time, there is very little room for manoeuvre when dealing with the separation of cohabitees in terms of property and division of assets.

The CMS are, however, involved in child maintenance payments for children, irrespective of whether their parents are married or not.

Sometimes, there is scope under Schedule 1 of the Children Act for arrangements to be made for a child and their carer until the child reaches majority, when the asset returns to the non-resident parent.