How Our Cohabitation Solicitors Can Help

Steps taken at the beginning can help avoid stressful, costly legal proceedings at the end, whether this be for planning your future together, or to help keep things fair should a relationship breakdown occur.

Our Family Law specialists can support unmarried couples by:

• Giving clear advice on how best to protect your legal interests from the outset
• Help write a Cohabitation Agreement or Living Together Agreement – Much a like a pre-nuptial agreement, this allows couples to protect their financial interests and set out the day-to-day financial issues in the relationship
• Negotiate financial settlements after separation
• Lasting Power of Attorney – An important safeguard to enable one partner to make decisions about the finances and/or welfare of the other in the event that they cannot do so for themselves
• Wills – Without the protection afforded to married couples, a will is essential to ensure your partner is provided for in the event of your death
• Trusts – A consideration if you want to make special provision for existing children or if you are planning to have children together
• Inheritance tax planning – Cohabiting couples do not benefit from the special exemption enjoyed by married couples and should plan accordingly

Contact us or call us on 0114 2496666 to book your free appointment today.

Why Choose Howells Solicitors

Divorce and separation does not have to be complicated or costly. If you are thinking about separating, or even getting divorced, we offer advice through a range of affordable fixed fees or competitive hourly rate services to give you the advice and support you need at a price you can afford.

The Howells Solicitors promise to you:

No surprises: We will provide a written estimate of costs at the outset of any case and keep you regularly informed of your costs position throughout.

No legal jargon. We will take time to understand your needs and provide clear explanations, so you completely understand what’s going on every step of the way.

Minimise stress. The breakdown of a relationship is invariably one of the most difficult situations anyone can encounter. We will help you reach the best possible outcome for you and your family with the least possible distress. We understand the importance of seeking to find amicable solutions to the issues that need to be resolved during the divorce or separation process. However, we will always have your best interests at the forefront or our actions, and we will strive to get you the best outcome possible.

Fair pricing. We always do our best to minimise cost where possible. Our fixed fees and transparent costings mean you know how much your legal work will cost. Our hourly rates are some of the most competitive across England and Wales.

Breakdown of a Relationship

If your relationship has broken down and no cohabitation or other legal agreement exists, then we can thoroughly investigate your position and advise you on all key issues. This includes:

• Property
• Finances
• Assets
• Provision for children, including trusts, child maintenance, child custody and Parental Responsibility Orders.

Wherever possible, we try to avoid any confrontation, often supporting you through mediation or collaborative services to help the two parties come to a mutually acceptable agreement. Such an approach can significantly reduce costs and lessen the inevitable stress of a breakup.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today.

Our Family Law Team

Our family law solicitors represent clients in:

– Sheffield

– Barnsley

– Rotherham

– South Yorkshire, including Doncaster and the Peak District

– Elsewhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Whitby, Castleford, York and Skipton

– Derbyshire, including Chesterfield, Castleton and Derby

– London and surrounding areas

– Nottingham, Mansfield, Worksop and surrounding areas in Nottinghamshire

– Other areas in the north of England, including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bradford, Bolton and Middlesbrough

– The midlands, including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Grantham, Stoke on Trent, Lincoln, Peterborough Stafford and Leicester

– The south of England, including Cornwall, Dorset, Oxford, Gloucestershire, Chichester, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Bournemouth, Exeter, Milton Keys, Cheltenham, Bath, Plymouth and Ipswich

– Cheshire

– Nationwide (throughout England)

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to book your free appointment today.

Unmarried Couples Frequently Asked Questions

What are Cohabiting Couples Entitled To?

Living together without being married or in a civil partnership means you will not have many rights around finances, property, and child custody. You could consider getting a Cohabitation Agreement in order to protect your interests.

Do Cohabiting Couples Have to Support Each Other Financially?

Cohabiting couples have no legal obligation to support each other financially, either while living together or after separation.

What Happens to Children if an Unmarried Couple Split Up?

It’s important to identify whether you have parental responsibility if you are an unmarried couple who is separating. Unmarried mothers will automatically get parental responsibility for a child from birth, however, fathers or partners may not. Our team of expert cohabitation solicitors will be able to advise you on this and discuss your options.

Our Cohabitation Solicitors Fees

Our family law team offer transparent and affordable prices to suit all financial circumstances. You will always be kept up to date with costs and they offer fixed fees for most areas, so you are always in full control.

Find a full list of our fees here.

Flexible Family Law Appointments

We understand that dealing with family law matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of family law services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service.

We are able to offer advice nationwide on that basis, which can often work out to be cheaper and more convenient, frequently providing representation to family law clients around the whole country.

We can offer our family law legal support via telephone or secure online meetings. This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule. I

If your case requires a court hearing, many such procedural matters are now handled remotely too, or if in person we can arrange representation by a suitable local barrister, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way.

Remote appointments are offered throughout the case, and most correspondence is handled by email. Whether you’re dealing with sensitive family matters or simply seeking guidance, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that puts your needs first.

If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham. While remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for those with limited digital literacy or access or where safeguarding is critical.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to speak to a family law expert or book an appointment today.