header-logo header-logo

01 December 2017 / Laura Naser
Issue: 7772 / Categories: Features , Family
printer mail-detail

International cohabitation: mi casa, tu casa?

nlj_7772_naser

Laura Naser provides an update on the fall-out from the international cohabitee jurisdiction race

  • Cohabitation presents a unique set of issues regarding the couple’s foreign property should their relationship end.
  • Speed is essential in securing the jurisdiction in cases such as these.

Last month, the Office of National Statistics released figures showing that the second largest family type in the UK is the cohabiting couple family at 3.3 million families, and ‘cohabiting couple families’ is the second fastest growing family type. As the law in England and Wales, and many other countries, does not bestow the same rights upon cohabitees as it does married couples, cohabiting couples are left at risk should their relationship come to an end. Many of those couples may be unaware of the potential race ahead of them.

While the numbers of cohabiting couples increase, the world has become smaller, with a greater number of couples owning property internationally. This means that upon the breakdown of a relationship, these cohabiting couples are seeking advice about

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
The government will aim to pass legislation banning leasehold for new flats and capping ground rent, introducing non-compulsory digital ID and creating a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants (also known as the Hillsborough law) in the next Parliament

An Italian financier has lost his bid to block his Australian wife from filing divorce papers in England on the basis it was no longer her domicile of choice

Reforms to the disclosure regime in the business and property courts have not achieved their objectives, lawyers have warned
The Law Society has urged ministers to hold a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the justice system as a whole
Ministers have proposed bringing inquest work under a single fee scheme for legal help and advocacy legal aid work
back-to-top-scroll