Family Law ยท Living Together

Cohabitation Solicitors Glasgow

Our cohabitation solicitors in Glasgow help unmarried couples understand their rights – and act fast when a relationship ends, because strict time limits apply.

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Confidential and without obligation

How we help

Legal advice for couples living together

Cohabitation agreements

Agree now who owns what, who pays what, and what happens if you separate. Unromantic, inexpensive, and the single best protection available.

Claims on separation

If you are left financially worse off after a break-up, Scottish law may allow a claim against your ex-partner. You have one year to make it.

When a partner dies

Cohabitants inherit nothing automatically if there is no will. A court claim may be possible – but only within six months of death.

Property disputes

Whose name is on the title matters far more than people expect. We advise on ownership, sale and occupancy rights when couples disagree.

The common law marriage myth

There is no common law marriage in Scotland. It does not matter if you have lived together for two years or twenty – you do not acquire the rights of a married couple. Many people only discover this at the worst possible moment: after a separation or a death.

Cohabitants do have some rights under Scottish law, but they are limited, they are not automatic, and they come with unforgiving deadlines. One year from separation. Six months from a partner’s death. Miss the window and the claim is gone.

Protect yourself while things are good

The best time to sort this is when you do not need it. A cohabitation agreement costs little, takes little time, and prevents the most painful disputes we see. Pair it with a will and your partner is properly protected.

Common questions

Cohabitation rights FAQs

No. Scotland abolished the last remnant of it in 2006. Living together for any length of time does not give you the rights of a married couple. Cohabitants have some limited statutory rights, but they are much weaker and depend on making a claim in time.

A cohabitant can seek a payment where they have been economically disadvantaged by the relationship – for example, giving up work to raise children or paying towards a home in the other’s name. The court looks at contributions and sacrifices, not a fixed formula. The claim must be raised within one year of separation.

Not automatically – a surviving cohabitant has no automatic inheritance rights in Scotland. You can apply to the court for provision from the estate, but only within six months of the death, so it is vital to take advice quickly.

Yes. A properly drafted cohabitation agreement is a binding contract in Scotland, and courts will generally uphold it. It can cover the house, deposits, bills, savings and what happens on separation – certainty for the price of a routine legal document.

Title matters enormously in Scotland – the starting point is that the named owner owns the house. But contributions towards a deposit, mortgage or improvements can found a financial claim on separation. Records of what you paid make a real difference, and the one-year time limit applies.

Know where you stand

Whether you are protecting a new life together or dealing with a separation, a consultation gives you clarity.

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