Cohabitation FAQs

There is often confusion about this but they do not.

We often hear this but it is not correct. There is no such legal concept as common law man and wife.

It will depend on the exact circumstances but the two main areas to consider will be how to share any property and what arrangements to make for any children.

The best way to protect yourself is to plan and to take advice before moving in together. This will enable you to understand the impact of living together and what needs to be considered to ensure that you are protected as much as possible. It is also important that you understand what you may be entitled to if you separate.

We would recommend that you have one as this means that you will have discussed all of the issues that you need to discuss before you move in together and this should help alleviate any problems if the relationship were to break down.

We can draw up the agreement to include the information that you want included. We would then recommend that your partner takes independent legal advice.

We would recommend that both parties take legal advice. However, only one lawyer is required to draw up the document.

You can find out more by booking an Initial Fixed Fee Interview with one of our team

An unmarried couple who live together in either rented accommodation or purchased property are cohabiting. This may be due to a conscious decision to rent or purchase property, or where one party moves into the other’s home.

It is possible to write your own cohabitation agreement, however, there are certain legalities that need to be met in order for it to be legally binding. With this in mind, we would always recommend that a solicitor is involved in the process of writing a cohabitation agreement to ensure that should it need to be utilised, it will hold up in court.

The cost of a cohabitation agreement is led by how complex your living arrangements are, whether you have children together, and how much detail you would like to include. We will be able to advise costings once we have more information about your specific circumstances. Please do note that your fee quote will depend on the complexity of your personal circumstances and therefore the agreement required.

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I had a great experience working with Solicitor Sajith Pillai for my property purchase. He was professional, transparent, and kept me informed throughout the process. Everything was handled efficiently, making the transaction smooth and hassle-free. He also followed up promptly with the seller’s solicitor and showed urgency at every step to ensure a timely closing. I appreciate his reliability and would recommend his services to anyone looking for a straightforward and trustworthy solicitor.


Sreejith Sreekumaran
01 Apr 2025

Excellent service

Excellent service provided by Emma at Eric Robinson Solicitors who undertook the conveyancing for the sale of our bungalow. She acted professionally throughout, was responsive and worked hard to secure completion in very quick time. Communication was first class, we were never left wondering what was happening, Emma gave us regular updates and notified us when things changed. Based on our experience, we would definitely recommend Eric Robinson Solicitors.


Richard Chinn
29 Mar 2025

Excellent service

Excellent service, always available, kept us well informed. Went above and beyond to help where needed


Anurag Agarwal
28 Mar 2025

Emma was amazing from start to finish

Emma was amazing from start to finish. She made the process of purchasing our first home stress free and kept us updated at all times. We felt confident and assured throughout the process and we could not recommend Emma enough. Thank you again.


Chloe Rogers
28 Mar 2025

Great Service

Friendly, helpful and patient through the sad process of selling Dad’s house.


Robin Hall
28 Mar 2025

Chantelle at Eric Robinson (Chandlers…

Chantelle at Eric Robinson (Chandlers Ford) provided a friendly, efficient and professional service. Brilliant! Thank you. Richard Hall, Highfield, Southampton.


Highfield Frames
27 Mar 2025

Smooth Property Purchase

I had a great experience working with Solicitor Sajith Pillai for my property purchase. He was professional, transparent, and kept me informed throughout the process. Everything was handled efficiently, making the transaction smooth and hassle-free. He also followed up promptly with the seller’s solicitor and showed urgency at every step to ensure a timely closing. I appreciate his reliability and would recommend his services to anyone looking for a straightforward and trustworthy solicitor.


Sreejith Sreekumaran
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