Search site
Call our office
Make an enquiry
Our Resolve. Your Resolution.
Do I have a common law marriage?
No, there is no such concept as a common law marriage. If you are not legally married, then regardless of the lengthy of your relationship, you have no right to a financial settlement via the family court.
Child maintenance is always payable by the non-resident parent, even if you were not married to each other, and you can calculate the amount due here: www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance
There is also provision for the parents of dependent children to apply for additional financial support under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 but any such award is made for the benefit of the child only, and they are very narrow in terms of scope e.g. for school fees.
If you and your partner rented together and you are not named on the tenancy agreement, then you will have no right to remain in the house. The same applies if one of you owns any property, only the owner is legally entitled to stay there.
If you jointly owned a house with your partner, then you should speak to a family solicitor to understand the true value of your interest and the options for selling or buying out the other person.
Our articles are intended for general information purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. We are always very happy to discuss any plans, issues or concerns you may have and to clarify how we might be able to help. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.
Along with the usual uplifts to the minimum wage, statutory sickness pay and maternity pay, this April we also see changes to the way holiday pay can be calculated and paid for some workers, some changes to family rights, and perhaps most significantly,...
Recent Budget offers farmers greater flexibility when considering environmental schemes
It has been a tumultuous couple of years in the farming sector, with wholesale changes to the subsidy regime, commodity price shocks and uncertainty concerning export markets. In this context, there was at least some good news in the recent Budget for...
The short answer: it depends. Both spouses will need to provide full details about their assets and income, with documentation in support e.g. bank statements, pay slips, property valuation, mortgage statements. This is so that the court can...
