Separation for Unmarried Couples

When an unmarried couple separates, the legal position is different from that of married couples. It’s a common misconception that “common-law wife” or “common-law husband” has legal standing, this is not recognised in law.

If you jointly own property or have children together, it’s important to understand your options.

Ideally, you should try to resolve matters between yourselves, either directly or through family mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution. These approaches should always be your first consideration.

If you reach an agreement, you may wish to formalise it with a Deed of Separation or Separation Agreement. This can help prevent future disputes by clearly setting out what has been agreed.

However, in some cases, reaching an agreement may not be possible, perhaps because one party is unwilling to engage, or there are unresolved issues that require court intervention.

In such situations, speaking with one of our experienced family lawyers can help. We offer a fixed-fee initial appointment where we’ll discuss your case and provide practical and legal advice tailored to your circumstances, helping you make informed decisions about your next steps.