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- Money - following divorce
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- Money - following living together
- Publications
- National accolade for Michelmores family lawyer
- Simon Thomas – My Working Week
- Custody - Access 20 Years out of date
- Michelmores adopt Families for Children charity
- Forced Adoption – is that right?
- Panorama questions whether everyone should be allowed to have children.
- Lawyers donate presents for abused families
- Collaborative law - Divorce
- The Supreme Court rules Pre–Nuptial Agreements have legal status
- Time for a national adoption agency?
- Wear a smile today!
- Prime Minister adds his weight to adoption transformation
- Women lawyers win Children’s Panel Appointments
- Keeping in the family
- Adoption falling?
- Michelmores awarded Legal Services Commission contract
- Gifts for families at Christmas
- Impact of spending cuts on children and young people services in Devon
- Michelmores Family Law - Who’s investigating you?
- Sun, sea and separation
- Postcode lottery
- Exeter family lawyer agrees to lecture at Plymouth University
- How to pay
- Contact us
Unmarried couples
Many couples now are choosing to live together, without getting married.
No matter how long you have lived together, neither of you have any automatic legal rights. Many people believe that they are protected by 'common law' but there is actually no such thing as a common law husband or a common law wife.
There are several areas that you may want to consider to ensure that you are legally protected, even if your relationship has not broken down. You can enter into a Cohabitation Agreement so that you can both be sure where you stand from the start. It is also possible to make an application to the Court if you believe that you have an interest or a greater interest in property or assets at the end of your relationship.
Michelmores unmarried couples team
The Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales . We work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide information, advice and legal representation to people in need. We also make sure that people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of problems.
- Tel: 0845 345 4345
- Website: http://www.legalservices.gov.uk
Resolution
Resolution's 6,000 members are family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Our members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems.
- Tel: 01689 820272
- Email: info@resolution.org.uk
- Website: http://www.resolution.org.uk
Exeter & District Relate
Established for over half a century, Exeter and District Relate dedicate ourselves to helping local people from all walks of life have happy relationships. We support individuals, couples and families through all stages of their relationships offering relationship counseling, couple counseling, family counseling and sex therapy workshops in a confidential and safe environment.
- Tel: 01392 275681
- Email: reception@exrelate.fsnet.co.uk
- Website: http://www.relateexeteranddistrict.co.uk
The Child Support Agency
The Child Support Agency (CSA) is part of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. Our role is to make sure that parents who live apart from their children contribute financially to their upkeep by paying child maintenance.
- Tel: 08457 133 133
- Website: http://www.csa.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
- Tel: 08444 111 444
- Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service
Her Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service offers practical guidance to the procedures that take place at Court. Visit their website for specific sections on Divorce and separation and Children.
- Website: http://www.hmcs.gov.uk
Family Mediators Association
The FMA, established in 1988, is a membership organisation for family mediators. We are a lead body and member organisation of the Family Mediation Council (FMC), the umbrella for professional family mediators.
- Tel: 01355 244 594
- Email: info@thefma.co.uk
- Website: http://www.thefma.co.uk
(Michelmores are not responsible for third party website contents).
Cohabitation agreements
There is no clear legal status of 'cohabitants'. This area of law has always generated a considerable amount of discussion, particularly in the wake of the Civil Partnership Act.
Money - following living together
This information applies to both heterosexual and same sex couples. The main fact to consider is that you are not married or in a civil partnership. If you are, please go to our Factsheet: 'Money following divorce'.
