Financial Settlements

Buying a home together is an exciting step for any couple. But what happens when one partner puts in a larger deposit than the other? In England and Wales, the law does not automatically protect unequal contributions unless the arrangements are clearly recorded. Without the right steps, one partner may risk losing out if the relationship breaks down.

Buying a house together is a big step for any couple. But when couples are not married and the relationship comes to an end, questions often arise about who gets what and how the property will be divided. In England and Wales, the law treats unmarried couples very differently from married couples, and the outcome depends largely on how the property is owned and what financial arrangements have been made.

When a relationship breaks down, one of the biggest concerns for any couple is what happens to the family home. For unmarried couples in England and Wales, this can be particularly stressful because the law treats them very differently from married couples. There is no such thing as “common law marriage”, and separating partners often find they have fewer rights than they expected.

Buying a home together is often one of the biggest financial commitments a couple will make. In many cases, one partner contributes a larger deposit than the other, either from savings, a previous property, or help from family. While this arrangement may feel straightforward at the time, problems can arise later if the relationship breaks down or the property is sold. Protecting that deposit is therefore an important step when entering into a joint mortgage.

Buying a home together is often one of the biggest steps couples take in their relationship. It is common for one partner to contribute a larger deposit than the other, whether from savings, a gift, or proceeds from a previous property. But what happens if the relationship breaks down and the couple later divorces? How is the home, and that unequal deposit, treated by the court?

Many couples in England and Wales choose to live together without marrying or entering into a civil partnership. It is a common belief that, after living together for a number of years, partners become a “common law husband” or “common law wife” and gain the same legal rights as married couples. Unfortunately, this is a myth. There is no such thing as “common law marriage” in England and Wales, and this misunderstanding often causes problems when relationships break down.

Form H is a costs estimate form used in financial remedy proceedings. It must be filed and served by each party before each hearing. The form provides a total of the costs incurred up to the date of the hearing as well as the expected future costs if settlement is not reached. It is an important checking exercise as it ensures that both parties, and the court, are clear about the scope of the legal fees involved, allowing these to be considered in the context of the case at hand.

A Form E1 is a financial statement used for financial disclosure in specific family law proceedings in England and Wales. It plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and fairness in those applications. The form is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's financial circumstances, enabling the court to make informed decisions regarding the financial arrangements if the parties cannot reach an agreement directly.

A Form B can be used by the respondent to divorce or dissolution proceedings in England and Wales if they wish to prevent the final order from being granted until the finances have been resolved. The application is made when the respondent wishes to ensure that their financial circumstances are adequately addressed before the divorce or dissolution is finalised, sometimes providing key financial protection.