Financial and Property Disputes
Expert Advice to Help Resolve Cohabitation Disputes
The approach taken by the Court in resolving financial and property disputes between separating unmarried couples is very different to that of married couples. Osbornes Law specialise in cohabitation disputes. Contact our family lawyers for further advice and assistance for your situation.
“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.“
When married couples separate the court can make an order it believes is fair and reasonable for the parties when looking at their overall circumstances. The approach taken towards separating unmarried couples is far more restrictive.
The law relating to cohabitees’ property predominantly derives from the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act. As a general approach the Courts will be interested in trying to clarify who owns what property and whether or not this properly reflects the intentions as to ownership.
To enable our lawyers to advise you on your position it would be helpful if you would provide us with the following information and documents:-
- Details of the ownership of any land or assets owned.
- Discussions that took place prior to and after the purchase
- Any written or verbal agreements
- Details as to who paid the deposit.
- Full details of who paid the mortgage payments.
- Details of any additional contribution made by you, for example, towards the property, e.g. funding or carrying out of the renovation of the property.
- Details of the solicitors who acted in the purchase of any such property.
- If you are renting a property, whether it is rented from the council or a private landlord and the amount of rent that is paid each week and whether the rental agreement is in your sole name, joint names or in the name of your cohabitee.
Unlike when married couples separate, cohabitees are not entitled to receive or obliged to pay maintenance to each other except for the benefit of children.
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"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.
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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.
