Cohabiting couples have no legal duty to support each other financially, either while you are living together or if you separate. Nor do you automatically share ownership of your possessions, savings, investments and so on. In general, ownership is unaffected by moving in together.

What rights do cohabiting partners have?

Living together without being married or being in a civil partnership means you do not have many rights around finances, property and children. Consider making a will and getting a cohabitation agreement to protect your interests.

Does my ex partner have rights to my house?

When youre married youre automatically entitled to a share of your partners assets. This means you have a legal right over the property, even if youre not the legal owner. If you want to protect assets that you bring into the marriage, you should consider getting a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

Does my girlfriend get half my house?

Not in California, unless the two of you entered into a written agreement to share your property.

How are assets divided in a common-law relationship?

The bottom line. For most common-law couples who jointly own real estate or other substantial assets, they will in fact be split 50-50. In fact, it is not really a legal dispute to take ones own property when a relationship ends. There are situations when this may not be automatic.