When people decide to live together they should consider what would happen if one of them dies or the relationship breaks down. You are not afforded the same rights as if you were married with regards to property, wills, maintenance and parental responsibility. Andrews Angel Solicitors recommend that a Cohabitation Agreement is entered into to regulate these matters and provide you some protection if one of you dies or the relationship fails. Entering into an agreement protects both parties in the event that the relationship breaks down ensuring that such a split is as amicable as possible If you purchase a property together as joint tenants you will receive the property out right at the death of your partner. However if the property is purchased as tenants in common this means that each party owns a percentage of the property and can be left to a person of their choice under a will. If you decide to rent a property together it is essential that this is done in both of your names to give you protection if the relationship breaks down It is essential that you make a will as under the rules of intestacy couples living together are not provided for unless they have lived together for two years or more and can show that they were dependent on the deceased. Andrews Angel Solicitors can assist you in the preparation of a will ensuring your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are provided for at this difficult time. At present if your relationship breaks down you are not required to maintain your partner, but you have to maintain any children of the relationship. You can claim for child maintenance via the Child Support Agency for your children. From the 1st December 2003 unmarried fathers will acquire parental responsibility for their children if their name is entered onto the birth certificate. Otherwise a parental responsibility agreement can be entered into by the party which gives the father the same rights as the mother. As such fathers before that date should enter into parental responsibility agreements or if no agreement apply to the court for a parental responsibility order. You should check your current Pension provisions. Often the pension scheme will not pay benefits to unmarried partners. If this is the case you should think about setting up a separate pension provision to ensure your loved ones are provided for.