I am in a cohabiting relationship: what are my rights?
15th February 2017
Alison Edmondson delivered a seminar to the Edinburgh Branch of The Society of Law Accountants in Scotland on the financial aspects of family law with a particular focus on cohabitants' rights on death or separation.
With cohabiting couple families now the fastest growing type of family relationship in the UK, it is important to be aware that whilst there is specific provision for cohabitants in Scotland the right to make a claim on the breakdown of the relationship or on death is usually more limited than would be for a spouse or civil partner. What's more, the constituent parts of the UK all treat cohabitants' rights differently. For example, there is little or no protection for cohabitants in England & Wales - something which campaigning to change.
There are very strict deadlines for making claims in Scotland, and so advice should be sought as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Alison or another member of the team.
