Unmarried Couples to Get Divorce Rights in England
Unmarried couples living together are about to get equal rights in divorce. Cohabiting couples who decide to split will be able to make claims for property and alimony. Some American states provide divorce rights for common-law married couples. A couple can only be in a common-law marriage in the U.S. if they actually believe they are married. No such requirement would be necessary under England’s divorce laws.
At present, in the UK, cohabiting partners have no rights if their relationship breaks down, expect for child custody and support. Courts will have discretion in awarding property and alimony. Just like someone who is married, a cohabitee would have to show he or she will suffer financially as a result of the split.
The UK’s divorce reforms for unmarried couples will apply to both opposite and same-sex couples in “an intimate relationship.”
