Twenty years ago, The Guardian predicted that by 2026, there would be more singletons than married couples. But has this prediction held true? Jayne Gregg, Associate in our Family team has a look at the facts.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, this forecast has not materialised. Using data from the Census 2021, this indicates that living in a couple remained more common than not living in a couple and in 2024 with 60.5% of the population aged 16 or over are either living with a legal partner or cohabiting.
Shift towards cohabitation
However, the nature of these relationships has evolved. The last two decades have seen a significant shift towards cohabitation, with 6.5 million people living as a couple in 2024, although not necessarily married or in a civil partnership.
In my opinion, this trend highlights the importance of considering a cohabitation agreement when setting up home with a partner, especially for those in second relationships, later-life partnerships, or with unequal assets. Without such agreements, couples may face costly legal disputes under The Trust of Land and Appointments of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA).
Many couples begin their journey by cohabiting and later choose to marry. In these cases, it is important to contemplate the necessity of a prenuptial agreement, although this can be overlooked amidst wedding plans. Fortunately, a post-nuptial agreement remains an option should it slip through the cracks initially.
Alternative resolution
In addition to the shift in living arrangements as the as the court system faces mounting pressure to manage an overwhelming number of cases, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) are becoming an increasingly popular routes for couples navigating separation. These approaches help couples reach amicable agreements.
ADR and NCDR can be an advantageous option for many individuals seeking to resolve matters outside the traditional court system. It offers a more flexible, often quicker, and potentially less expensive way to settle family affairs.
Get in touch
If you have any issues arising from living together arrangements or require advice on a prenup or post-nuptial agreement, for pragmatic, no-nonsense advice and practical solutions on how our team can help you with your family matter, please get in touch on 0121 746 3360 or submit an online enquiry and we will get back to you shortly.
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