Myth of Common Law Wife

Living together? What are your rights? While many still believe in the myth of the 'common law wife', in reality there is little legal protection for unmarried women if their relationship breaks down or their partner dies.

No matter how long you've shared a home, ownership of everything is decided by property law, rather than the courts as it is with divorcing couples.

In 2011, the Government announced it would NOT be implementing a scheme of financial rights for cohabitants recommended by the Law Commission and there are currently no plans for reform.

Good Housekeeping, October 2013