Cohabitation Disputes Solicitors

The end of a relationship is difficult in so many ways. As well as the emotional pain, you may have children and financial issues to sort out. If you aren’t married or civil partners, it can make resolving these issues even harder, and things can quickly get heated if you don’t have the right support.

At Devonalds, our family law solicitors can help you resolve cohabitation disputes upon separation.

Unmarried partners tend to have fewer legal rights than married couples or civil partners, but you still have options. And if you are a parent, your parental rights and responsibilities are usually just as strong as spouses and civil partners. So, it’s worth seeking legal advice to make sure you’re aware of all your options.

Our cohabitation dispute solicitors can help with all kinds of matters, including:

Disputes about financial arrangements and dividing assets
Property disputes
Disputes about arrangements for children
Parental responsibility disputes

Most of the time, we’re able to help our clients resolve their dispute out-of-court, using mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution where needed.

We are also able to represent you during court proceedings, fearlessly fighting your corner to try and secure the best possible outcome.

Book your 1-hour fixed fee consultation with our cohabitation dispute solicitors

It’s hard to know where you stand when you first break up with your partner. Having some initial legal advice about your options could clear your mind and help you make the right decision about how best to move forwards.

We can offer a 1-hour fixed fee consultation to provide some initial advice and talk you through your options. In some cases (e.g. if there is domestic violence involved), we can accept clients on a legal aid basis which can pay for some or all of your legal costs.

We have offices across Rhondda Cynon Taff in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy and Tylorstown, where you can come and meet us to discuss your matter. We’re also happy to speak to you in any way convenient to you, including using video link software.

So, if you are going through a difficult time in your life, then please get in touch with us today for compassionate and cost-effective advice for you and your family.

How can our cohabitation dispute solicitors help?

Working out financial arrangements and dividing assets

Resolving financial matters after a break up can be tricky because unmarried partners don’t have legal rights to the other’s property.

Our cohabitation dispute solicitors can help you work through all these difficult matters with the goal of reaching a positive resolution.

We appreciate that the law in this area is very complicated, so we’ll explain everything clearly and simply, tailoring our advice to suit your personal circumstances.

Property disputes

Disputes over property can have serious consequences for unmarried couples. In most cases, property that you cohabit together isn’t just a valuable asset, it’s your home, and losing it or not getting back what you contributed to the household could be devastating.

Our cohabitation dispute solicitors are here to help you negotiate a resolution to your cohabitation property dispute. The type of disputes we can help with include:

Claims for beneficial interests in property owned by your ex-partner
Disputes over selling jointly owned property
Disputes over contributions to property, such as gifts from relatives, home improvements and contributions to the household

Arrangements for children

Children can end up in the middle of cohabitee disputes, even when you’re trying your hardest to protect them. Sorting out childcare and co-parenting arrangements, especially when you don’t get on well with your ex-partner, is often where the biggest disagreements arise.

Our friendly solicitors can support you during this time. We have many years of experience working with parents and children, so you can rest assured that we’ll make the process as simple and straightforward as possible for you.

We also have experience advising grandparents about seeing their grandchildren.

Visit our Arrangements for Children page for more information.

Parental responsibility disputes

Parental responsibility refers to the rights and duties a parent has to make decisions about their children. It is different to being a ‘legal parent’. You can be a legal parent without having parental responsibility, although most parents do have it.

It’s really important to have parental responsibility, especially if you and your partner have split up. It means you have the right to make decisions about how your child is brought up and requires your ex-partner to get your consent to do things like moving your child abroad. As well as big decisions, it also allows you to do everyday things, like pick your child up from school.

Birth mothers automatically have parental responsibility. Fathers and second parents have it most of the time, but if you are a father or second parent, it’s important to check.

Our solicitors can provide advice about parental responsibility, including advice about acquiring it even where your ex-partner does not want you to.

Resolving cohabitation disputes out-of-court

In most cases, we’re able to support our clients to a resolution out-of-court. We follow the Resolution Code of Practice to help clients take the most constructive approach to family law issues. You can expect us to:

Listen, be honest and treat you with respect
Explain your options clearly
Help you focus on what matters most
Help you balance the financial and emotional costs of achieving your goals
Work with others to reach the best solutions for you
Manage stress during what is often a very stressful situation

Where suitable, we can help you access methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution such as mediation which could help you find a positive resolution.

Resolving cohabitation disputes in court

It’s not always possible to find a solution out-of-court. Our lawyers are also fierce litigators and can help you make and defend claims in court. From financial court orders to children-related court orders, we’re here to ensure you have the best possible chance of achieving the outcome you want.