Views on proposed cohabitation rights changes and the opt-out model

[PokemonQueen]

NC for this, as I've been pretty vocal about it in real life.

How do people feel about the fairer end to relationships consolation? Especially changes to cohabitation rights on separation.

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-fairer-end-to-relationships

I don't dispute the problem, women who've sacrificed careers, done the childcare, or been financially controlled in long cohabiting relationships are genuinely left exposed. But I have real issues with the automatic opt-out model, especially for people already cohabiting. Lots of us (including women with assets to protect) have already deliberately chosen not to marry because we wanted to keep finances separate. That was a conscious decision. An opt-out scheme just reverses that default and makes us go through hoops to preserve it.

What if one partner refuses to opt out? That suddenly gives enormous leverage to whoever has least to lose. And there's a horrible irony where a financially controlling partner could use the opt-out process against the very women this is supposed to help. There's also a pretty obvious perverse incentive: if your savings become claimable, why save? Especially if one of you is a saver and the other a spender.

I'm also a bit annoyed that the whole consultation reads like the decision's already been made and they're just sorting the details (what qualifying period, what if someone's still married to someone else).

On a personal note, the opt-out framing is already causing tension in my own relationship. The assumption that wanting to opt out means you're expecting it to fail, or don't trust your partner. I suspect I'm not the only one who would have that problem.

As an older co-habiting couple with adult children from our previous relationships/marriages and no shared off spring we have deliberately made a choice not to marry in order to keep our finances separate.
Partner has his own business and 2 properties. We cohabit in "my" property.

Yes we have wills etc but marriage and civil partnerships are an option already giving financial security if that's what people want.

Im furious about this. More advertising and educating needs to be done so its common knowledge that common law relationships dont have the financial security. Marriage is so much more than a piece of paper.

You can marry for under £100 quid, it doesnt have to be a big day with top hats and tails of that's not what people want.

I fully understand your fury. I am also furious. Why should people have this forced on them when they have made their own arrangements. How dare this government take the choice away from people. I will NEVER vote for Labour ever again if this comes to pass. There should be protests about this. It’s enforced marriage rights. They can bleat on all they like about marriage rights being different, but there will not be much difference at all from the proposals I’ve seen. This is nothing more than a glorified payday for the lawyers and law firms. This is NOTHING to do with protecting vulnerable women at all. In fact, many women will be even more vulnerable if this bill goes through. It will have many unintended consequences.

I oppose this as someone who has actively chosen not to marry. I have no desire to lose half my pension and savings in a separation.
Nobody made the decision to ' sacrifice' a career in our relationship. This proposal only serves to disadvantage me. If I wanted to share finances in the event of a split, id have married.