One of the most persistent myths in family law is the belief that couples who live together for a certain period automatically acquire the same legal rights as married couples. The term “common law husband” or “common law wife” is widely used, leading many people to assume that living together creates a legal status equivalent to marriage.

In reality, no such legal status exists in England and Wales — but that could soon change.

Government launches landmark cohabitation consultation

On 5 June 2026, Justice Secretary David Lammy announced a long-awaited government consultation on reforming family law to strengthen the rights of cohabiting couples.

The consultation, launched by the Ministry of Justice, proposes significant changes including:

• Automatic inheritance rights for unmarried partners whose partner dies without a will
• New financial claims on separation for couples who have lived together for at least three years, or who share a child
• Greater weight given to domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour and economic abuse, when courts assess finances on separation
• Legally binding nuptial agreements, giving couples more certainty before they marry

Lammy said: “When a relationship comes to an end, each partner should have the support and certainty they need to rebuild their life. These reforms strike an important balance between tradition and modernity. I’m determined that our justice system should work for everyone who needs it.”

The consultation closes on 14 August 2026.

Resolution, the family law practitioners’ group that successfully campaigned for no-fault divorce, welcomed the announcement. Chair Melanie Bataillard-Samuel said: “For too long, unmarried partners have been placed at risk of significant financial hardship and uncertainty when their relationship comes to an end through separation or death. The current law has simply not kept pace with changes in society.”

However, the Law Society cautioned that rights are only meaningful if people can access and enforce them — warning that without legal aid and adequate court resources, new protections could exist only on paper.

It is important to stress that these are proposals at consultation stage, not yet law. Until Parliament passes any new legislation, the current legal position remains unchanged. This means that the 3.5 million cohabiting couples in England and Wales still have none of the automatic financial protections that married couples enjoy.

What is a common law marriage?

The short answer is that there is no such thing as a common law marriage in England and Wales — yet.

No matter how long a couple has lived together, they do not currently acquire the same legal rights and protections that married couples or civil partners enjoy. Whether a couple has lived together for two years, ten years or several decades, cohabitation alone does not create a legal marriage.

This often comes as a surprise, particularly to couples who share finances, own property together, have children or present themselves publicly as husband and wife.

Why does the myth persist?

The concept of common law marriage has existed in various forms throughout history and still applies in some jurisdictions around the world. As a result, many people assume that similar rules apply in England and Wales.

Surveys consistently show that a large proportion of the public mistakenly believes unmarried couples acquire legal rights simply by living together for a long period. Unfortunately, this misconception can leave people financially vulnerable if they separate.

What happens if an unmarried couple separates today?

When married couples divorce, the court has wide powers to redistribute assets and make financial orders to achieve a fair outcome. For cohabiting couples, the position is very different.

There is currently no automatic right to share a partner’s assets, receive spousal maintenance, claim a share of pensions, or receive financial support simply because of the relationship. Disputes are instead determined using property law principles, meaning that ownership documents, financial contributions and evidence of agreements become critically important.

The proposed reforms would change this — but only for couples who have cohabited for at least three years, or who share a child.

What about the family home?

The family home is often the most valuable asset and the source of the greatest disputes. The legal position will depend on factors such as whose name is on the title deeds, whether the property is owned jointly, financial contributions towards the purchase price, and any agreements made between the parties.

Many people assume that contributing towards household bills automatically gives them an interest in a property. Unfortunately, the reality can be much more complicated. Every case depends on its own facts.

What if the couple has children?

While cohabiting partners may have limited financial claims against each other, children remain protected by law. Parents continue to have legal responsibilities towards their children regardless of marital status, covering child arrangements, maintenance, housing needs and educational expenses. The welfare of the child remains the court’s primary consideration.

What happens if one partner dies?

The lack of legal protection can be particularly stark following the death of a partner. Unlike spouses and civil partners, cohabiting partners do not currently inherit automatically if there is no valid will under the intestacy rules.

The proposed reforms would change this — giving surviving cohabiting partners automatic inheritance rights for the first time. This could be transformative, particularly in cases where the deceased owned the family home in their sole name, or where there are children from previous relationships.

How can cohabiting couples protect themselves now?

The proposed reforms are encouraging, but they are not yet law. Until legislation is passed, it remains vital to take proactive steps.

Cohabitation agreement. A cohabitation agreement can record how assets, finances and property will be dealt with during the relationship and in the event of separation.

Declaration of trust. Where property is purchased jointly, a declaration of trust can clearly define ownership shares and help avoid future disputes.

Making a will. A professionally drafted will can ensure that a partner is provided for in accordance with your wishes — and remains essential even if the proposed automatic inheritance rights eventually become law.

Reviewing property ownership. Understanding exactly how property is owned is essential for protecting both parties’ interests.

Keeping financial records. Clear records of financial contributions can prove invaluable if disagreements arise.

What happens next?

The consultation closes on 14 August 2026. If the government proceeds with legislation, the reforms would represent the most significant change to cohabitation law in England and Wales in a generation.

However, there is no guarantee that all proposals will make it into law, and it could be some time before any changes take effect. Cohabiting couples should not wait for reform to materialise before taking steps to protect their position.

Conclusion

The myth of the common law marriage remains one of the most dangerous misconceptions in family law. The government’s consultation is a welcome and long-overdue acknowledgement that the law has failed to keep pace with modern family life — but proposals are not yet law.

Until Parliament acts, living together does not create the same legal protections as marriage or civil partnership, regardless of how long the relationship has lasted. Understanding the current legal position and taking appropriate steps to protect your interests now can help avoid uncertainty, financial hardship and costly disputes in the future.

If you are living with a partner and have concerns about your legal rights — whether in light of the proposed reforms or the current law — seeking specialist family law advice at an early stage can provide valuable clarity and peace of mind.

Updated 5 June 2026 to reflect the Ministry of Justice cohabitation law consultation announced by Justice Secretary David Lammy. The consultation closes 14 August 2026. This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.