Unmarried couples who let love cloud their judgement could be heading for heartbreak, a family solicitor has warned.
Marriage rates are currently at the lowest level since records began, but many partners live together or share responsibility for bills and bank accounts.
However, Tracy Cross of Coventry law firm Band Hatton, says relationships which turn sour can leave a string of potential problems for those who haven’t considered the legal implications of a split.
Mrs Cross said: “It’s very easy when a couple who want to live together ignore the prospect of their relationship ever going wrong and it can cause problems.
“For instance, if a couple move into a flat together, they should ensure both names are on the lease. If not, one person could be left with full responsibility for a property or made homeless.
“Also, if you have a joint bank account, it’s important to remember that if you both pay in money, you can both take it out, so requiring two signatures for any big transactions is sensible.”
Mrs Cross also believes older, non-married couples should seek advice about legal issues to make sure both individuals are safe from potential hardship.
“Everyone should have a will, but it’s particularly important for unmarried couples,” she said.
“If something tragic happened, there is no legal right for a partner to receive anything and so aside from the trauma of losing a loved one, there may be money, property and possession problems.
“There are a lot of considerations, so it’s best that couples see their solicitor just to make sure they are protected.”
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