The legal rights of unmarried couples living together
Living together without getting married is a common choice for many couples. However, it’s essential to understand the legal differences
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Fertility treatment is emotionally demanding, and the legal framework behind it is complex. Decisions made before treatment begins can affect parental status, responsibility and a child’s legal position so taking advice early gives you clarity and helps you avoid unintended consequences later.
Whether you are starting treatment as a couple, pursuing parenthood on your own, using a donor or considering donation yourself, the law treats each situation differently. We help you understand how the rules apply to you, in plain language, so you can move forward with confidence.
If you are not married or in a civil partnership, and you are not giving birth, specific parenthood forms usually need to be completed before treatment begins. If they are not, you may not have legal parental status, regardless of your role in the child’s life. These arrangements have long-term implications. Parental responsibility does not disappear if relationships change, and misunderstandings at the outset can be difficult to resolve later. We help you put the correct legal foundations in place from the start.
Some people enter fertility treatment with a friend or known donor. These arrangements can work well, but they often raise complex questions about roles, expectations and future decision-making. A carefully considered co-parenting or pre-conception agreement allows everyone involved to discuss key issues before a child is born. While these agreements are not legally binding in every respect, they can reduce uncertainty and provide a clear framework if circumstances change.
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering support across all areas of family law. Alongside fertility law, we advise on relationship breakdown, mediation, court proceedings, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, ensuring consistent advice as family circumstances evolve. We act for clients with a wide range of needs, from complex financial arrangements to more straightforward matters.
The team at Tees Law has provided excellent service and extremely helpful advice.
Errors in fertility treatment are rare, but when they occur the impact can be profound. Mistakes or failures in consent processes, storage or treatment can have lasting legal and emotional consequences.
If something has gone wrong, we can help you understand what happened, review the legal processes involved and explore the available options. We also advise clients who want reassurance that clinics and consent arrangements are legally sound before treatment begins.
Our fertility law specialists can advise on:
Our in-house independent financial advisers work closely with our lawyers, providing regulated advice where legal and financial issues overlap. We have offices across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, but we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Living together without getting married is a common choice for many couples. However, it’s essential to understand the legal differences
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