Counting the Cost of Cohabitation

The fastest growing type of family over the past twenty years is the cohabiting couple family but the "common law marriage" remains a myth. When a relationship between cohabitees breaks down, the well-established provisions for resolving a married couple's finances on divorce do not apply.

Counting the Cost of Cohabitation provides a summary of the key legislative avenues for parties to resolve property disputes outside marriage. It gives a concise overview of the law, practice and procedure and, recognising the costs of litigation, looks at alternative options for resolving disputes outside marriage.

Counting the Cost of Cohabitation also highlights practical steps cohabitees can take to protect their financial positions at the outset. It should be an invaluable starting point for practitioners and clients alike.