Call us: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm, Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate 0330 056 3171
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate 0330 056 3171
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm

News: Lords debate inheritance in cohabitation bill

Recent Posts

Family Court Fees to Rise

March 28, 2024

Related Posts

Family Court Fees to Rise

March 28, 2024

The House of Lords has debated key aspects of the Inheritance (Cohabitants) Bill, a private member’s bill which proposes significant changes to the rights of cohabitants if their partner dies.

Speakers in the recent House of Lords debate included Lord Lester of Herne Hill for the Liberal Democrats, who introduced the bill, describing it as closing “…an important gap in the rights and needs of cohabitants and their children. Whereas spouses and civil partners whose partners die intestate are not placed in additional hardship because of the intestacy regime, cohabitants and their children are at risk.”

Meanwhile Baroness Deech was opposed to the legislation, saying that judges already had the discretion to provide for cohabitants in need under the existing law. The bill would be “a shift away from the family”, she argued.

Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws said the issues highlighted by the bill should not be seen as in opposition to marriage: “To argue that this [the bill] is somehow an attack upon marriage is to misunderstand the purposes of this effort to change the law.”

The blog team at Stowe is a group of writers based across our family law offices who share their advice on the wellbeing and emotional aspects of divorce or separation from personal experience. As well as pieces from our family law solicitors, guest contributors also regularly contribute to share their knowledge.

Contact us

As the UK's largest family law firm we understand that every case is personal.

Leave a comment

Help & advice categories

Subscribe
?
Get
more
advice
Close

Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up for advice on divorce and relationships from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts.

What type of information are you looking for?


Privacy Policy
Close
Close