15 August 2008
The summer holiday season can be a time to meet new people, fall in love or start making plans for the future together, but it can also end in arguments, separation and even divorce.
And breaking up can be especially messy if you're cohabiting with your significant other and you don't know your rights.
Two million couples cohabit in England and Wales, with one in four children being born to unmarried couples.
According to a survey into social attitudes, 50.7% of people think that couples who have lived together for a while have the same rights as married or civil partners and that a 'common law marriage' has recognised legal status. They also wrongly believe that by having a child together they acquire legal rights.
And a recent study, conducted by Expedia and Match.com, showed 42% of Brits have argued with their partners on holiday, with one in ten splitting up while abroad. Some married couples in Britain admit to applying for a divorce after falling out with each other on holiday.
Many couples decide to cohabit for a number of reasons. But only couples who marry or enter into a civil partnership will get certain rights, including legal recognition of their relationship.
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said:
'People living together should not assume that they will automatically have the same rights as married couples or civil partners. In court, there is no such thing as a common law marriage.
'Before you are at the stage where you start living together, make sure you know your rights.'
Unless a will is made, your surviving partner may inherit nothing if you die. Likewise, no matter how long you've lived in your home, if you don't have a financial stake in a property, you have no right if the relationship breaks down.
Visit www.advicenow.org.uk/living-together and www.oneplusone.org.uk/marriedornot to find practical advice on how you can protect yourself, your children and safeguard your future.
Notes to editors
1. Cohabitants are couples who live together but do not get married. Couples who have gone through a marriage or civil partnership ceremony are given rights and responsibilities towards their partners by the state as a result of the marriage.
2. Research by Expedia.co.uk, a UK travel website, and website Match.com. The research was carried out among 1,000 holidaymakers on match.com during May 2008. Match.com is an online personals website. Expedia.co.uk is an online travel agent for business and leisure travellers. Key findings included:
- Two in three women (62%) say that spending quality time alone tops the list of holiday must haves compared to (57%) of men.
- A quarter of the women (25%) thought their partners didn't spend enough and should spend more.
- One in two couples (49%) refuse to compromise with each other on holidays.
- 83% of British men say that relaxing is the most important thing for them on holiday, a quarter of British women (25%) complain that their partners are workaholics. A quarter of British men (25%) on the other hand, think that women are not motivated enough.
- 19% of Scots, 16% of people from the North East and 16% of Londoners broke up with a partner while on holiday. People on the south coast said they had never broken up with a partner while on holiday.
3. The British Social Attitudes Survey shows 50.7% of people in 2006 believed in 'common law marriage' and believed they have the same rights as married couples' or civil partners.
4. Law Commission's Paper on cohabitation: the financial consequences of relationship breakdown, and the government response to paper on cohabitation and relationship breakdown.
5. Websites with practical advice for people: