The "Which?" Guide to Living Together (Paperback, 2Rev ed)

The book that tells cohabiting couples both heterosexual and same-sex what their rights are and how to protect them. The number of couples living together in preference to marrying is increasing rapidly. Even if their relationship is long term and similar in many respects to marriage, unmarried couples should be aware that the law treats them differently from those who are married. Living Together shows couples how to protect their financial and legal rights while in a relationship -- including how to draw up a cohabitation agreement -- and tells them where they stand if they split up or if their partner dies. For couples in the process of breaking up, the sections on mediation and how to resolve disputes over children and property will be invaluable. Updated to include details of the Civil Partnership Bill, and packed with case histories, tips, sample agreements and useful forms, this new guide explains how the law affects heterosexual and same-sex couples with respect to children, property, inheritance, pensions, company privileges and state benefits. Separate chapters deal with the differences in law in Scotland and Northern Ireland.