A WARRINGTON lawyer is backing calls to bring family law into line with the needs of modern families.
Catriona Levitt of Steels Solicitors is supporting leading lawmaker Lord Lester’s Bill on cohabitation.
“Family law on cohabitation is completely out of step with modern family life.” says Catriona who is a member of 5,500 strong family lawyer’s association
Resolution.
“Cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the UK and marriage rates are plummeting. But couples who live together have no legal protection, regardless of the length of their relationship or whether they have children together.
“Despite this, over fifty percent of people still falsely believe cohabitants are protected by ‘common law marriage’. It’s a disgrace in modern times that families in Warrington and across the country are still left at risk of serious financial hardship if the relationship ends or if a partner dies”.
The bill aims to give legal rights to cohabitants who have been living together for at least two years, or who have a child together. Couples will have the right to opt out of the scheme if they choose to.
Lord Lester said: “My Bill represents a new opportunity to deal effectively with this issue, and I am hopeful that the government and parliament will support it to prevent more and more people and their children from being faced with poverty and hardship in these troubling economic times.”
Catriona said: “As a family lawyer I know that families come in all shapes and sizes. At a time of recession, Cheshire families need financial security through laws that protect them, whether they have opted for marriage or not”.
