Cohabitation Disputes
Cohabitation Dispute Lawyers London
When cohabitees separate they potentially face the same painful experiences that a married couple face. The same difficult issues can also be faced by those not in a relationship but with a shared or joint interest in a property. Our specialist lawyers can advise you in resolving these issues.
“Osbornes is firmly established as one of the top tier family departments in London. It has a range of clients and cases, many of which are notable because of their complexity. The team increasingly attracts clients who are very wealthy, or in the public eye.”
“They are not only effective, knowledgeable and professional, but also pleasant to deal with as people.“
Resolution accredited family lawyers specialising in cohabitation disputes
Cohabiting couples have very often built up a life together over a long period of time. Therefore in the event of a separation there will be various issues to address. Broadly speaking these issues may concern any children, financial provisions for the children and the redistribution of finances and any assets between the individuals themselves.
In relation to financial disputes, if there are children involved then the Courts will look first to the best interests of a child and will look at the needs of the child and of the carers for the child. Often this can result in a transfer of a property to a carer until a child reaches the age of 18 or ceases full time education with the property then being sold and the proceeds divided between the two former cohabitees. The financial positions of the parents and their and the child’s financial needs will be important considerations.
In terms of the ownership of and interest in property where cohabitees or former cohabitees are not married, the Court looks at the laws of Land and Trust. The same is true of joint owners of property who were not in a relationship. The Court would look to the joint common intention of ownership of the property was, often determined by whose name the property is in but factors such as agreements, financial contributions towards the property or the general circumstances can also show what the common intention was to be.
There are no laws for cohabitees to receive shares of pensions, lump sum payments or maintenance from their former partners except where the lump sums or maintenance are for the benefit of a child.
If you are involved in a dispute with a former partner to whom you were not married then one of our family team members can help you in resolving these issues. Both Andrew Watson and Lisa Pepper are Resolution accredited specialists in Cohabitation Law.
Speak to a Family Solicitor Today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
"Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".
"It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.
"Mark is very experienced, competent, good with clients and takes a sensible approach to cases. He knows exactly what he's doing."
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
News & Insights from our Family Law SolicitorsVIEW ALL
20.1.2022Family Mediation: a cost-effective alternative to court action
Mediation is increasingly important for our clients in their efforts to resolve children and financial issues divorce. This week (17 to 21...
Read more- 18.1.2022
6 cases that shape a private children dispute
Family disputes involving children can be particularly emotive, which is why our expert children lawyers work tirelessly to understand how...
Read more - 22.12.2021
Naomi Angell, founder, celebrates Coram Children’s Legal...
Naomi Angell, Head of Osbornes’ Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility Law Unit spoke, at the 40th birthday of the Coram Children’...
Read more - 13.12.2021
Who Pays Child Maintenance?
Child maintenance is regular, reliable financial support that helps towards a child’s everyday living costs. The Child Maintenance Service (...
Read more 
8.12.2021Has my child been abducted?
My ex-partner has taken our child abroad without my consent – what should I do? In order for a parent to...
Read more- 25.11.2021
Child arrangements for going abroad when separated
I am separated from my spouse – can I take the children abroad on holiday? The answer to this question is...
Read more - 18.11.2021
Legal considerations in the surrogacy process
What Are My Surrogacy Options at Home and Abroad? When you’re considering surrogacy as an intended parent, you may...
Read more - 20.10.2021
Birth parent fails to overturn adoption order
Most adoption applications go through smoothly and it is only in the minority of cases that birth parents seek to...
Read more - 28.9.2021
Family Courts Backlogs Exacerbated by Pandemic
Court backlogs: Divorcing couples face ruinous costs as last-minute court hearing cancellations become commonplace Divorcing couples are facing ruinous costs...
Read more - 21.9.2021
Changes in Fertility Law Benefit Families
Following campaigning by those working in the fertility sector and public consultation in 2020, the Government announced on 6th September 2021 that...
Read more - 16.9.2021
Osbornes Launch Parenthood Section With Tatler
The family department at Osbornes Law is delighted to announce a new initiative with Tatler. The firm has been working...
Read more 
6.9.2021Osbornes Shortlisted At Family Law Awards
The family department is delighted to have been shortlisted for ‘London Law Firm of the Year 2021’ at the Lexis Nexis...
Read more- 10.8.2021
Child Maintenance: When is capital, income?
Reading a recent case from the Child Maintenance Tribunal, I considered it worth flagging up that the Child Maintenance Rules...
Read more 
10.8.2021Beneficial Interest in Property
The Court of Appeal provides further clarification on interests in property Andrew Watson, a London based divorce lawyer in our ...
Read more- 21.7.2021
Child arrangements affected by pandemic travel restrictions
International families experiencing long separation periods from children As pandemic restrictions continue to limit overseas travel, increasing numbers of separated...
Read more - 27.4.2021
Pre-nups becoming the new norm for soon to...
Lawyers are seeing record numbers of couples signing pre-nuptial agreements this year as the country moves closer to a society...
Read more - 4.4.2021
Pet-Nups: Who Keeps The Dog On Divorce Or...
‘Do you need a pet-nup’. We examine why many couples are including arrangements for their pets in a pre-nuptial agreement....
Read more - 5.3.2021
Contesting a prenuptial agreement
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are getting a divorce after nearly seven years of marriage. According to reports, Kim filed...
Read more 
26.2.2021Unsafe cladding: Issues for separating couples
The government has recently announced it is providing additional financial support towards rectifying the cladding issues in countless buildings across...
Read more
25.11.2020WEBINAR: Alternative Pathways To Parenting – Busting The Myths
Three expert family lawyers will guide you through the legal process of adopting a child, choosing a surrogate and fertility...
Read more- 5.10.2020
Lockdown rush to cohabitation leaves couples lacking financial...
When the lockdown was announced many couples had to make a rushed decision to move in together or face months...
Read more - 3.8.2020
Family lawyer at Osbornes discusses how she juggles...
Sarah Scott, associate solicitor in the firm’s family department contributed to The Law Society Gazette’s piece on “Lawyers...
Read more - 1.7.2020
Mediation by Zoom
At Osbornes, our Family Law mediations are in the main, conducted by Zoom during lockdown as our main office in...
Read more - 12.6.2020
Naomi Angell, Adoption specialist comments on international surrogacy...
Writing for the Law Society Gazette, Naomi explores the current challenges and problems around international surrogacy and the differing current...
Read more
Accreditations
"Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".
"It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.
"Mark is very experienced, competent, good with clients and takes a sensible approach to cases. He knows exactly what he's doing."
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
Speak to a Family Solicitor Today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
Most Visited Family Law Pages
Our Family Lawyers View the whole team
Mark Freedman
Partner
Family LawDavid Leadercramer
Partner
Family LawLisa Pepper
Partner
Family LawMartin Ross
Partner
Family LawBridget Thompson
Partner
Family LawAndrew Watson
Partner
Family LawJoanne Wescott
Partner
Family LawClaire Andrews
Associate
Family LawNaomi Angell
Consultant
Family LawDiana Bastow
Associate
Family LawSacha Ben-Shabat
Paralegal
Family LawSophie Brand
Solicitor
Family LawAmy-Jo Fletcher
Solicitor
Family LawLauren Gaines
Solicitor
Family LawAlicja Glabicka
Paralegal
Family LawHannah Goldstein
Trainee Solicitor
Family LawIsabelle James
Solicitor
Family LawJonathan Jonas
Associate Solicitor
Family LawMaria Kitsiou
Senior Associate
Family LawHannah Lindley
Paralegal
Family LawSimone McGrath
Consultant
Family LawHarriet McMorrin
Solicitor
Family LawEloise Mears
Trainee Solicitor
Family LawJessica Moore
Solicitor
Family LawView the
whole team
