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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Mediation helps separating couples resolve issues without court proceedings. It can cover children, finances and property, and is often quicker and less adversarial than other approaches.
Our mediators are also experienced family lawyers. They guide discussions sensitively, helping both parties feel heard while working towards practical, balanced outcomes.
Mediation allows you to set the pace, priorities and agenda. This flexibility can make it easier to focus on the issues that matter most to you and your family.
Mediation can also help resolve disputes beyond divorce, including issues between unmarried couples or within wider family relationships, helping avoid unnecessary escalation.
Promotes amicable solutions – by encouraging open communication, mediation can help foster understanding and potentially lead to a more amicable resolution.
You make the decisions – unlike court, where a judge imposes decisions, mediation allows you to determine the outcome with the help of a mediator.
More control and flexibility – you have control over what’s discussed and when, with deadlines and timelines tailored to your needs.
Faster and more affordable – mediation typically resolves issues in weeks rather than months, and can often be less expensive than court proceedings.
View our fixed-fee family law consultation page ,we offer compassionate, expert guidance from an experienced solicitor, focused on you and your next steps.
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These are some of the issues our family law mediators can help you with:
If you are not married, or you have a dispute within the wider family, our mediators also offer family mediation.
Tees is a full-service top-tier Legal 500 firm, which offers a joined-up service for all your legal requirements. We’ll support you in all areas of family law from divorce mediation to court appearances, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Our clients range from high-net-worth individuals with complex finances to those with more straightforward needs. We also specialise in the agricultural sector, having a sound understanding of the relationship between business and personal needs.
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
Separation can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to mean a lengthy, costly court battle. Our complete guide to Family mediation explains how a structured, forward-focused approach can help you reach practical agreements about children and finances more quickly, calmly and cost-effectively.
Discover how the mediation process works, when it’s suitable, and why so many families are choosing it as a constructive alternative to litigation.
We have a team of in-house independent financial advisers who work closely with our lawyers to deliver all the advice you need. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we are accountable for all the advice we give.
If you want a lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, our family and divorce lawyers are based in:
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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Mediation is when an independent and professionally trained mediator helps you work out an agreement with your former partner about issues such as:
In the first session known as a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) you will have an opportunity to meet the mediator individually and the process will be explained to you. After you have both attended an individual meeting, there will be a first joint meeting with the mediator. They will then get you and your partner to talk in a constructive way, and encourage you to start looking at options and ideas. In this way they are often able to help you find a workable solution, and one that can become part of a legal document.
A mediator’s role is not to advise the parties, and you may benefit from independent legal advice alongside mediation.
