Valentine’s Day is a time when many couples take the next steps to start planning their future. Whether it’s starting a new relationship or proposing to your better half, many couples use this day to express their commitment to each other with a token of love. It could be the offering of a ring or the keys to a new home together or other significant milestones in a relationship!

However, we know that when couples first meet, it’s not necessarily “law at first sight”. But it is important to plan and protect your future. At Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors, we have Family Law experts that can give you the advice you need if you are considering the next steps in your relationship and if you require legal certainty about your future.  

In the event of a separation, many of us like to know what the financial rights and entitlements will be:

Often, people approach this from the starting point of an equal division of assets. Although this is the starting point in many cases, other factors will need to be considered before deciding what a ‘fair’ outcome will be. All outcomes are dependent on the specific facts of a case.

What if we are unmarried but living together?

You may not think it is the right time for you to get married and so may want to test the waters by living together, before taking the plunge and getting married.

Contrary to popular belief, if you are an unmarried couple and you live together, unfortunately, you will not have the same rights and entitlements as that of a married couple. This is because, regardless of the number of years an unmarried couple have been together – or whether they have children – they are not on the same footing as a married couple.

You can help better protect your rights and entitlements when moving in with your partner by entering into a Cohabitation Agreement.

What if we are planning for marriage?

If you are planning to marry, you can help enter into a Pre-nuptial Agreement with your partner before you marry to ensure you know what your rights and entitlements will be before you ‘tie the knot’, and how this may be shared in the unfortunate event of divorce.

Even if this may be the last thing on your ‘to do’ list as you plan for your big day, a “pre-nup” can offer you and your loved one security for the future. Rather than leaving everything to chance, this offers both of you a level of autonomy, making it much easier down the line if things take a turn for the worst.

It is not possible to enter into a pre-nup after you get married. However, a Post-nuptial Agreement is a wise alternative for married couples, as it sets out how the matrimonial assets will be divided, in the event of a divorce. If you feel like your marriage is going through a ‘rocky’ stage and want to know how you can protect your assets, please get in touch with one of our Family Law solicitors for advice today.

Whether you are married or not, we offer a variety of services for all couples to protect their future and prevent these unexpected battles, including Cohabitation Agreements, Pre-nuptial Agreements, Post-nuptial Agreements, and making a new Will. This will mean there’s no room for misinterpretation or “forget me nots” if a relationship ends.

Call one of our expert solicitors on 0208 514 9000 today.