MJW

BBC NEWS | UK | Cohabiting law changes proposed

Not sure what anyone else thinks of these proposed changes, but what the hell is the point in this bit of legislation ? Surely if a co-habiting couple wanted the same rights as a married couple they'd get married wouldn't they ??

Clarebabes

I know, I couldn't believe it! I'm getting married next week. I could've saved myself the hassle!








Only Joking!

Longjing

Indeed. The driver seems to be that lots of people apparently think that a "common law wife" has some rights already... I don't know anybody who thinks like that I must say.

Seems like another pointless interference in people's private lives to me... not hard to get married if that's the commitment you want to make. And if you don't, you'll have to opt out of the presumption that the person you share with is entitled to some of your stuff if this goes ahead. Kids need that protection perhaps but not consenting adults.

That said, I don't see this becoming law... not because it will offend bachelors and bachelorettes but because it will offend the marriage-is-best lobby.

B9GLY

wouldnt making a will each be a whole lot easier?????????????? that covers death and it cant be that difficult to arrange a 50% split if you split up???

PeteBrant

Which is a good thing


As far as I see it, it is a needless bit of legislation. You take out what you both arrived with, and split anything you did whilst you were together 50/50

Job done.

Luminous

iTrader: (3)

If you want to get married, get married. If you don't want to get married, why grumble that you don't have the rights of a married person

OllyK

They were looking at this a few months back to allow couples to sign a "register" for want of a better word, essentially offering the same legal standing as marriage. If it's the same as that fine, if you are automatically in the scheme or can't opt out I call it yet more nanny state pandering.

Longjing

There is an opt-out, apparently, but still.

OllyK

It's still wrong IMO, you essentially become married by virtue of living with somebody. I'm happy with the arrangements my partner and I have, if I wanted it more formal I'd get married.

Clarebabes

I want to get married and that's why we are. Nothing changes, but I wanted the security!

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Congrats for next week Clare

Clarebabes

Thanks

Leslie

I think that about hits the nail as they say.

I personally think however that if you want to have children then the married family is the best all round situation for the children who are such an important part of a union. They are the ones who need the most protection and the conditions attached to marriage are best as far as they are concerned. The decay of the habit of getting married has done nothing good for society's moral welfare. That is not a good thing in my eyes.

I hope you have a wonderful day next week Clare, congratulations in advance.

Les

lozgti

I think it's hilarious .

All those who just co habit I presume (partly) do it thinking they could avoid the responsibilties marriage brings (ie the legal stick if it goes pear shaped)

So,the bottom line is...why not get married now? What is there to stop people taking that nice step? (cost is not a good argument )

Shark Man

It's not good news, I have a freind who bought and owns his own house.

However his (ex) g/f who moved in (when they were together) basically wants payment of part of its value to move out now they are split.However she refuses to move out, and basically blackmails him with heavily damaging threats if he kicks the biatch out (stuff that would put someone in court, cost them their job, wreck their lives etc....even though eveything is a pack of lies).

She's a professional leacher, and will lie very convincingly to get anything she wants. Problem is, the law will believe her.

The only thankful thing is she is about as fertile as menopausal Panda, so no kids to trap him in further (thus the resorting to the lies).

These regs only play into biatch's favour. And no doubt, I bet there are plenty of other golddiggers out there who will rub their hand with glee.