Property Ownership
If you own property together you might want to clarify arrangements for sale, buyouts or equity shares.
Protecting your Assets
Protecting your future - whatever it holds
You may be concerned about protecting your assets and property before or after you marry or start living together, should your relationship unfortunately break down in the future. We are experienced in helping clients put in place preventative solutions - namely pre and post nuptial agreements and co-habitation agreements, which can help to avoid conflict and uncertainty.
The type of agreement you need will depend on whether you are anticipating marriage, married already, anticipating living together, or living together already. For more information see below:
Pre Nuptial Agreements
If you are married or in a civil partnership or considering getting married or entering into a civil partnership then you might want to consider whether it would be better for you as a couple to have the certainty and security of knowing how you would divide your assets if your relationship were to break down.
When you get married, you enter into a formal legal contractual relationship as well as an emotional one. A pre nuptial agreement is not an assumption that a relationship will fail, rather it is about being constructive and honest from the beginning, and aiming to prevent conflict and legal costs should you separate in the future.
These agreements can be particularly helpful in the following circumstances:
- where there are significant differences between the respective assets that the parties bring to the marriage/civil partnership;
- in second marriages/civil partnerships, in order to protect the financial interests of children from previous relationships;
- Where one party’s assets include significant inherited assets that they might want to protect.
Post Nuptial Agreements
Post-nuptial or post-partnership (co-habitation) agreements are similar to pre-nuptial agreements but are entered into after a marriage or civil partnership has taken place.
The case law and implications of entering into this type of agreement are complex and we are able to give clients expert, sensible, and practical advice in this area.
Cohabitation Agreements
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no such thing as a “common law" husband or wife. Unmarried couples have very limited legal rights if they separate — regardless of how long they’ve lived together.
Whether you’re planning to move in with a partner, friend, or family member — or you’re already living together — a cohabitation agreement helps protect your interests by setting clear expectations about finances and living arrangements if things change.
This isn’t being pessimistic - it’s about being proactive, and avoiding uncertainty if your relationship breaks down.
What a Cohabitation Agreement can cover
-
-
Gaining an interest in property
Agreeing if (and when) the non-owner could acquire a share in the property.
-
Financial contributions
Outlining responsibility for bills and what financial contributions mean if the relationship ends.
-
Dividing possessions
Deciding how the contents of the home will be shared if one of you moves out.
-
Considerations for children
Including arrangements for children (where relevant) to avoid conflict and provide clarity.
When is the right time to put a cohabitation agreement in place?
Any time is the right time — before you move in together, shortly after, or even years down the line (known as a post-partnership agreement). The earlier you put it in place, the easier it is to avoid conflict later.
How We Can Help
We support clients at every stage of cohabitation. Our experienced family lawyers will:
- Help you think through and structure your agreement
- Ensure the terms are clear, fair and legally sound
- Offer pragmatic advice with your future in mind
Highlights
What People Say
They were straight talking, and dealt with things with speed and attention to detail. They were also very good listeners, understanding my needs and concerns.
Generally, I feel anxious and unnerved about everything most of the time but I always feel better when I have seen you!
A solicitor with excellent judgement and a real commitment to his clients.
I always knew where I stood because of the clear advice even when I did not want to hear it.
I had such an amazing result from my case. I really appreciate all the work and thought that you put in.
I am writing to thank you and your legal colleagues for recommending Selby Lowndes LLP legal team who helped me through these proceedings. Their dedication, tact and perseverance are laudable. They have been very supportive throughout, and never failed to deliver to help me out in most difficult times.
A great person to have on your team; he fights hard for his clients but is pleasant to deal with.
I cannot thank you enough for your help, support and encouragement. When I first came to see you I was absolutely petrified and really did not think I could go through with it. Your advice, calm manner and belief that this was possible, enabled me to summon the strength to escape what was a nightmare for so many years.
Brings a wealth of experience in family work.
I just knew I could put my trust in you and you would always make the right decisions for me and my girls. You made me feel at ease and … you explained things so well and in detail.
I wanted to write to say a big ‘thank you’ for being such a great solicitor and helping me get through these difficult processes as well as I can imagine someone could. I am really appreciative of the style with which you did this and that you sometimes lightened it all with your sense of humour!
I didn’t realise what a difficult job you had. You’ve done an amazing job having to deal with my lying, cheating muppet of an ex-husband! If it hadn’t been for you then I would have ended up with nothing. My children and I will be forever grateful to you. Thank you for all your help and advice.
It’s been a long and difficult journey but your support and advice throughout has been exceptional. So glad you took my case.
Dear Jane, Thank you very much for your email, I am so glad it did go well and for now is over! I wanted to thank you for all your support and work for the last couple of years and to say how much I appreciated it. You made me feel so heard and seen which is something priceless.
Dear Jane, Thank you for your advice and assistance over the last year. Most importantly I’m so grateful for the compassion you showed me which shone through when I was at my most vulnerable.
Dear Ms. Crumpton, I have approved the order. I hope you receive some recognition from your firm for your diligent work on this unusual case.
Dear Kelsey, Thank you for all your valuable help. I really appreciate it. I don’t want to sound big headed, but I was right when I said you’ll be going places with your talent! Much as I think you’re brilliant, but… nothing personal… I hope I don’t have reason to use you again! We all deserve a break! Surely though, I will recommend you and William to others as the dream team.
I wanted to thank you for your guiding hand throughout this process. You have been reassuring, pragmatic, kind and supportive and I am deeply grateful that I had you on my side.
Excellent judgement.
Experienced and obviously very competent.