- Get expert advice on polyamorous law from an award-winning firm
- Rated ‘Excellent’ from independent reviews
Our Family Law Services:
What is a polyamorous relationship?
Polyamorous relationships encompass any consensual non-monogamous relationship. They have been increasing in prevalence in the UK – particularly in the last 10 years. These relationships often involve complex legal issues. Every relationship will look and feel different and the issues will be unique.
As with any type of relationship, sometimes things don’t work out. We offer compassionate and professional support on all aspects of family law, including separation, child arrangements and cohabitation matters. We handle every enquiry with sensitivity and openness during what may be a very difficult personal circumstance.
Please note we use the term ‘solicitor’ and ‘lawyer’ throughout interchangeably, as a term that refers to anyone in the United Kingdom that is licensed to practice law, provide legal advice, or represent clients in court.
Book your consultation with one of our leading Family Law solicitors
0330 822 3451 or request a callback.
How we can help in polyamorous relationships
Our family solicitors offer clear, concise, and personalised advice tailored to the unique needs of polyamorous individuals and families. Drawing on over 45 years of experience, we provide expert guidance on a range of legal matters.
Relationship Agreements
We specialise in drafting agreements for polyamorous relationships, including multi-partner agreements, cohabitation agreements, and bespoke arrangements to protect your interests and define your relationships.
Family and Parental Rights
Navigating parental rights within polyamorous structures can be complex. We advise on establishing parental responsibility, creating parenting plans for multi-parent families, and resolving disputes related to the living arrangements and welfare of children. This includes advice on leave to remove if a parent wishes to relocate with children.
Relationship Dissolution
Should a polyamorous relationship end, we provide compassionate and effective legal support for dissolution and separation. Our team can assist with financial provision agreements to ensure a fair and stress-free outcome, utilising methods like mediation and arbitration.
Property Ownership
We offer expert advice on property ownership disputes within polyamorous households, whether you’re dealing with co-ownership disagreements or seeking to establish an interest in shared property.
Safety and Protection
Our specialist team provides confidential support and legal protection for individuals experiencing domestic abuse, ensuring the safety of all involved adults and children.
Are polyamorous relationships legal in the UK?
Polyamorous relationships have no legal status in England and Wales; therefore, it’s not against the law to be in one. This is different to polygamy, however. Marriage between more than two people is against the law.
Typically, a polyamorous relationship has three or more consenting people.
The legal status of the people involved depends on the individual circumstances. It may involve a married couple, or civil partners, with the addition of other partners (who are not in the marriage or civil partnership), or all partners could be unmarried.
It should be noted that where there is a mix of married/civil partnered and unmarried partners, the unmarried partners are far more vulnerable legally. Their claims are limited to property ownership according to TOLATA 1996. There are children involved, there may be a claim for financial provision on behalf of a child under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. There is also an additional provision if the partners are engaged.
It is important to understand your rights in a polyamorous relationship as they may not be the same as the other partners, even if you share financial assets, responsibilities and childcare duties.
Are polyamorous marriages legal?
Polyamorous relationships do not currently have legal status in the UK. However, marrying multiple partners, known as polygamy, is prohibited.
The law in England & Wales currently defines a legal marriage/civil partnership as between two people over the age of 18. The law therefore prohibits any marriage with multiple partners; this is a criminal offence called bigamy.
What happens if a polyamorous relationship breaks down?
It depends on the legal status of the relationship in the first place. You may fall into one of the following categories as a partner in a polyamorous relationship and this determines what legal options/routes may apply to you:
- If you are married or in a civil partnership with one of your partners and the relationship breaks down, you will need to consider either divorce or dissolution of the civil partnership and the associated financial issues.
- If you are in a polyamorous relationship and (a) not married or in a civil partnership or (b) you’re the non-married partner – for example, in a throuple – divorce/dissolution won’t be applicable and the laws equivalent to ‘cohabitees’ are more likely to apply.
If there are children in the family, and you are not certain of your rights following the breakdown of a polyamorous relationship, please do not hesitate to get in touch whether or not you are a biological parent. The law in this area is complex and it would be beneficial to talk it through with one of our solicitors.
"They displayed a very clear and total understanding of my case, and demonstrated having previewed my material very well. Information I was given was clear and honest, neither pessimistic nor simply telling me 'what I wanted to hear'."
How can I protect myself in a polyamorous relationship?
As with any relationship, communication is key. Important topics to discuss with your partners include:
- Do we have sufficient life insurance cover and/or critical illness cover to ensure each partner and/or child of the family is taken care of in the event the worst happens?
- Is everyone’s Will up to date?
- Do we have a parenting plan that reflects everyone’s parental role?
- Do we need to apply for parental responsibility for any non-biological parents?
- Do we need to discuss arrangements for our family home, or any other property?
- Do we need to discuss the financial arrangements for each partner in the event of a relationship breakdown and enter into a cohabitation agreement to ensure that the non-married partners’ rights are protected?
- Do we need to enter into a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement to deal with the finances for the married/civilly partnered partners?
Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen for polyamorous law?
Experts in polyamorous relationship legality
We understand that polyamorous relationships have unique legal considerations. Whether you a’re seeking guidance on multi-partner agreements, parental rights in a polyamorous family structure, or navigating relationship dissolution, our team of solicitors offers sensitive and informed support.
Unwavering standards
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and our lawyers are proud members of the Law Society and the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. This commitment to high ethical standards ensures that all legal representation we provide is reliable, accountable, and held to the highest professional benchmarks.
Trusted by our clients
Our dedication to client satisfaction is reflected in our ‘Excellent’ rating from independent Trustpilot reviews. We’re committed to offering a trusted and supportive service as we help you navigate the legal complexities of your unique family structure.
Industry-backed inclusive family law
We’re one of Chambers and Partners’ top-ranked firms and a top-tier firm in the Legal 500. This recognition underscores our expertise and leadership in family law, extending to thoughtfully address the evolving needs of polyamorous relationships.
"A stellar firm offering a first- class service. You are assured that anyone on the Family team is able to offer efficient and effective representation, designed and shown to get consistently good results." - Legal 500
"Everyone that I dealt with at Hodge Jones & Allen was extremely helpful and professional, however I always knew that my lead lawyer was never far away." - Chambers and Partners, 2025
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