Co-Habitation Disputes
Many people still think that if they live together with a partner, opposite or same sex, for a certain time they automatically have rights against that persons assets as they are a “common law spouse”. This is not true. If you co-habit with another person and that relationship ends then your claim against them is much more limited than those of a married couple.
If there are children of the relationship, you may be able to make financial claims for maintenance and support through the Child Maintenance Service. You may be able to claim to live in a jointly owned property for the child’s minority.
You would have no claim on your partners pension.
This is a complex area of law and our solicitors can advise on the breakdown of such a relationship in relation to property matters.
The Courts recognise that more and more people are now living together as opposed to getting married. The law on property disputes between co-habitants is evolving rapidly and is a complex area upon which you need specialist legal advice.
Additional Information
Co-Habitation Disputes
Property Disputes
Financial Matters
Meet The Family Team
About Heather
Heather graduated from Coventry University before qualifying as a Solicitor a long time ago in 1989. She joined Willsons Solicitors in 1991 and has established the family law department and built from scratch the care department of the firm. In the family department Heather acts for both children and parents, foster carers and relatives in cases involving social care. She has had a number of cases heard at the Court of Appeal.
Heather undertakes all family work also acting for divorcing and separating couples involving disputes regarding their children or finances.
Heather frequently attends Court to represent her clients both in the local family Court in Nuneaton and in the County Court in Coventry or Birmingham. She has had cases in the High Court and also in the Court of Appeal regarding children matters.
Heather likes to put her clients at ease and gives a sensible overview to her clients as to the likely outcome of the case and explains clearly what the Court’s approach to their case is likely to be guiding them through the whole legal process.
Outside of work Heather is the Chair of DACS (Domestic Abuse Counselling Service), a charitable organisation offering counselling to the victims of domestic abuse in Nuneaton and Warwickshire.
Heather loves to cook and eat out and because of this is constantly battling to keep fit and loves attending the Gym and is a recent convert to Yoga.
Heather enjoys spending time with her grandchildren who also keep her active.
Heather loves working as a Solicitor, loves the client contact and strives to provide the best possible service she can for her clients.
About Ashlee
Ashlee undertook her undergraduate Law Degree (LLB) at The University of Warwick between 2004 and 2007 where she achieved a 2:1. Shortly after completing her Final exams she started working at Willsons Solicitors as a Court clerk. "This meant that I would go to Court to assist Counsel and watch some of the country’s leading barristers at work and I absolutely loved it. I even assisted on a leading Child care case L-A (Children) [2009] EWCA Civ 822. This is when I realised I was passionate about Family Law, particularly proceedings relating to children."
Ashlee undertook a Legal Practice Course in 2007-2009 on a part-time basis while continuing to gain valuable experience as a Court Clerk, and from 2009 -2011 she undertook a Training Contract at Willsons Solicitors. Ashlee qualified as a solicitor in May 2011 and has been acting for Parents and Grandparents in Child Care cases ever since.
She gained accreditation to the Law Society Children’s Panel to enable her to undertake work for children that are involved in Care Proceedings, in early 2017
"I really enjoy taking my dog Luna out for long walks with my children and I also enjoy going to the cinema and reading.
I am obsessed with TV sleuth Jessica Fletcher from Murder she wrote and even have her autograph!"
About Hannah
Hannah is a solicitor in our family department and has worked in the area of family law since 2017, dealing with all aspects of family cases and specialises in children issues. Hannah is fully conversant with the law regarding disputes between parents or disputes regarding children and social care.
If you have any kind of issue regarding children law, please do not hesitate to contact Hannah as she is very happy to help.
Hannah states that she loves being a solicitor and loves to focus on what is in her clients best interests.
She has worked within family law since 2017 dealing with all aspects of family cases mainly involving children. Be those disputes between parents or disputes regarding children and social services.
If you have any kind of dispute or query regarding children law, then please do not hesitate to contact Hannah. She is very happy to help. Hannah states she loves being a Solicitor and “Loves to focus on what is in my client’s best interests. I always aim to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients and love doing my job”.
In her free time Hannah enjoys spending time with her daughter, and trying different foods from around the globe.
About Ravinder
Ravinder qualified as a solicitor in 2013, beginning her career as an immigration solicitor and then later specialising in family law. She has gained the Family Law Advanced Accreditation.
Ravinder undertakes all types of family work. She is the firms Ambassador in supporting and representing victims of domestic violence/abuse (DVA). Ravinder has years of experience obtaining protective orders and resolving disputes surrounding children. Over the years, Ravinder has developed excellent working relationships with local DVA organisations to ensure clients are offered a service which specifically meets their needs. She can also speak fluent Punjabi and has found that her immigration background has also enabled her to understand complex immigration issues as part of the case.
Ravinder always strives to provide an excellent service to each client by ensuring their needs and expectations are met. She understands that family issues can be complex, stressful and highly emotive. Ravinder prides herself on building a rapport with each client through compassion and understanding, placing them at ease through the process.
Outside of work, Ravinder enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and staying active through kickboxing.