Blog Post

The Myth of the Common Law Wife

  • By Rory Patton
  • 26 Jun, 2017

Unmarried and Living together - Know your rights!

Another common misconception among the general public is that over time you will acquire rights over your partners property after perhaps two or three or five years of living together.

Many clients are shocked to learn when the relationship breaks down that they in fact have no automatic right or interest in the property in which they have been living for the last number of years as it is registered in their former partners name. In fact not only do they not have an interest in it but they are not entitled to continue living there against their partners wishes and whilst they may be able to establish an interest if they can prove that they were contributing significantly to the upkeep of the property during that time, that may not amount to an equal share.

Its not all doom and gloom as unmarried couples do have a distinct advantage over married couples in that they can, under the right conditions, enter into a legally binding agreement governing their property in the event of a separation. Whilst married couples may seek to achieve something similar by enter into pre nuptial agreements, these are not currently binding although they will be given due consideration.

It is also vitally important that unmarried couples make a will stating who they wish to leave their property to on their death because there are no inheritance rights created simply by living together over a period of time and your house or other property may pass to your next of kin instead of your partner against your wishes.

If you are thinking of moving in with your partner or you are already doing so and would like more advice about a cohabitation agreement or a will, call us on 028 87724333 or visit www.fgpatton.co.uk to arrange a free consultation.
By Rory Patton 28 Nov, 2023
We are delighted to be supporting Digg Deep For Kids this Christmas as a registered drop off point for the local area.

They are most in need of gifts for children aged 7– 18 years however gifts suitable for children of all ages are greatly appreciated. Gifts must be new and unwrapped. A list of suitable items can be found on the Cash For Kids section of their website - www.diggdeepforkids.com.

Please note that we cannot accept food or cash donations. If you wish to donate money, please visit Https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/diggdeepforkids2023
By Rory Patton 21 Nov, 2023
Congratulations to our client Coleman Construction Ltd who won 'Affordable Development of the Year' for their Taughrane Hall development at the PropertyPal awards last Thursday night in the Titanic, Belfast.

It was great to see the hard work and dedication of the team being recognised and a great night was had by all those who attended. 


By Rory Patton 02 Nov, 2023

I will be attending ‘Meet the Experts’ – a great event for business owners and entrepreneurs, where you have the chance to meet industry experts to discuss and brainstorm how to improve and grow your own business.

 

If you are interested in attending, sign up for free via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-experts-tickets-718396963657

 

Date and time: Tue, 14 Nov 2023   -   1pm – 5pm

Location: THE JUNCTION, 12 Beechvalley Way Dungannon BT70 1BS

 

#tourismni #mudc #midulster #northernireland #business #event #networking

By Rory Patton 25 Sep, 2023
We are excited to be part of Free Wills Month , launching on Monday 2nd October.

Free Wills Month is your chance to get a free Will whilst choosing to support charity by leaving a gift in your Will.

Bookings will be available from 9am 2nd October 2023. For more information, visit bit.ly/FWMSol
By Rory Patton 15 Aug, 2023
We are delighted to be part of the player sponsorship group for the Dungannon Women's Rugby team again this coming season.

Women's rugby continues to go from strength to strength and the Women's team has been a fantastic addition to the club since it was formed.

We wish them all the best for the season ahead. 
By Rory Patton 29 Nov, 2022
We are acting as a drop off point for donations to the Digg Deep for Kids campaign this Christmas.

Digg Deep for Kids has raised over half a million pounds over the years and bought almost a million pounds worth of essentials for families across Northern Ireland. This year they are raising money to support Save the Children, Cash for kids, and Saint Vincent de Paul.

You can support the campaign by buying a raffle ticket online, making a donation to the Just Giving page or by leaving items to a designated drop-off point such as ours. They are most in need of gifts for babies and teens.

For more information visit https://diggdeepforkids.com/

The final day for donations to be left in to the office is Wednesday the 14th December. We would really appreciate any support for this very worthy campaign which makes a big difference to those in need at Christmas.
By Rory Patton 19 Nov, 2022
We are delighted to support Cancer Focus free wills month this November.

Cancer Focus is a fantastic local charity carrying out important research and providing assistance to local people at a very difficult time. By choosing to leave a gift in your Will to Cancer Focus NI’s research, you’re ensuring your gift stays in Northern Ireland and supports pioneering research, right here.

Cancer have created a  free Gift in Will guide  to take you through all the key things you need to know about making your Will and including a gift to Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. To find out more visit -  https://cancerfocusni.org/fundraising/gift/

If you would like to make a will this November, please contact us on 028 8772 4333 to make an appointment.


By Rory Patton 26 Oct, 2022
We are delighted to be sponsoring Dungannon Women's Rugby team player Kirsty Miskimmons this season.

We wish Kirsty and the rest of the team every success.
By Rory Patton 26 Sep, 2022
Read our latest blog to catch up on the headline changes to stamp duty 
By Rory Patton 04 Oct, 2021

How Will Aid works  

As participating solicitors, this October we will draw up a basic Will for you without charging our usual fee. Instead, you are invited to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The Will Aid charities all work with the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world, so that sum of money will have improved countless lives and by writing your will you may spare your family the distress of coping with legal complications as well as losing a loved one.

What is Will Aid?

Will Aid is an annual fundraising campaign involving nine of the UK’s leading charities. With the support of solicitors who donate their skills, people are encouraged to have their Will drawn up by a professional solicitor whilst at the same time supporting charity.  

What has Will Aid achieved?

Since 1988, Will Aid has enabled the legal profession to raise over £19 million for good causes. The Will Aid charities all work with the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world, so that sum of money will have improved countless lives. You can find out more about the great work the Will Aid charities do by following this link.

Over those years, Will Aid has encouraged and helped more than 300,000 people to make their Wills. By writing their Wills, these people may have spared their family the distress of coping with legal complications as well as losing a loved one.


To find out more contact us on 02887724333 or email   info@fgpatton.co .uk
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