Back in June we flagged the government’s consultation, A fairer end to relationships, which asked whether unmarried couples who live together should get some financial protection when they split, and proposed reforms to how money is sorted on divorce. That consultation closed on 14 August 2026. So where does it go now, and what should you do about it?
What happens next
A consultation closing does not mean a law arriving. What happens now is slower and quieter:
- The Ministry of Justice reads and analyses the responses (there will be a lot of them).
- It publishes a formal response, usually months later, setting out what it intends to do.
- If it decides to legislate, a Bill has to be drafted and pass through Parliament before anything becomes law.
In other words, we are near the start of a long road, not the end of one. There is no timeline, and the proposals can still change or be dropped.
So nothing has changed
This is the important bit for anyone separating right now. The law today is exactly what it was:
- If you were not married or in a civil partnership, there is still no general financial claim between you when you split. It is property law and child maintenance, and not much else. The idea of “common law marriage” is still a myth.
- If you were married, divorce finances still run on the existing law, with judges applying needs and sharing case by case.
Do not make decisions now based on rights that may or may not exist in a few years. If you are separating and were not married, get advice on where you actually stand today.
Why we are still watching it
Because when it does move, it matters to dads both ways. A new framework for cohabitants could give the lower earner a claim on separation, and depending on your situation that could be you or your ex. Worth understanding before any big financial decisions. We cover the current position in the financial side of divorce, and we will update when the government responds.
Source
The Ministry of Justice consultation “A fairer end to relationships” opened on 5 June 2026 and closed on 14 August 2026. See GOV.UK: A fairer end to relationships.
Information, not legal advice. These are proposals under consultation and not law. Check the official source for the current position before you rely on anything here.