On 5 June 2026, the Government launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen the legal rights of unmarried couples who live together, reflecting the reality that more than 3.5 million couples in the UK now cohabit without being married or in a civil partnership.
At present, cohabiting couples have far fewer automatic financial protections than married couples if their relationship breaks down or one partner dies. The proposed reforms are intended to modernise family law and provide greater certainty, particularly where one partner is financially dependent on the other, or where domestic or economic abuse have been a factor.
Key proposals include giving separating cohabitants stronger financial remedies, potentially allowing individuals to claim a share of property or other assets where appropriate. The consultation also considers whether unmarried partners should have automatic inheritance rights where their partner dies without leaving a Will.
The Government is also seeking views on whether courts should give greater weight to the impact of domestic abuse when deciding financial matters, both for married couples and cohabitants. Separately, the consultation proposes making pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding, which could give couples more confidence that their financial arrangements will be respected if they later separate.
Although these are only proposals at this stage, they could mark a significant shift in the legal landscape for unmarried couples. In the meantime, cohabiting partners should not assume they have the same rights as spouses or civil partners. Those wishing to protect their position should consider taking advice on Wills, declarations of trust, cohabitation agreements and other arrangements that can provide clarity and security.
If you have any questions about such matters, please get in touch with Laytons ETL and we would be happy to advise further.
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