Obtaining an order for spousal maintenance to last for the rest of your life is becoming rare. There is an…

Some research recently found that 71% of couples don’t discuss pensions at all during divorce settlements. The same report also states that despite an average married couple’s retirement pot totalling £132,000, more married people would be concerned about losing a pet during a settlement than sharing a pension.

Some lay individuals assume that the divorce process is expensive; some have never embarked on a divorce nor do they know anyone that has gone through a divorce. They just seem to know that it is expensive. So where does this belief come from? We generally all obtain information, opinion and reports from some form of media, colleagues, friends and families.

Living together, without getting married, is the fastest growing type of family in the UK. Currently, however, the law offers little protection for couples who cohabit with many falling into the mistaken ‘common law marriage’ trap, believing they have similar financial protection as married couples if the relationship breaks down. There is no such principle in England and Wales.

Next week, from 27 November to 1 December, Resolution and its 5,500 family lawyer members are highlighting the reforms needed to protect unmarried couples living together.

The current law treats cohabiting couples as two unrelated individuals, taking no account of their relationship and time together.