Key facts
- Government proposes new inheritance and property rights for cohabiting couples.
- These rights will be distinct from those of married couples.
- The intention is to preserve the sanctity of marriage.
The government is considering introducing new legal rights for couples who live together but are not married. These proposed rights are intended to cover inheritance and property matters in the event of death or separation. According to the government, these rights will be designed to be 'distinct and different' from the rights afforded to married couples. The stated intention behind this distinction is to 'preserve the sanctity of marriage' while still offering legal protections to those in cohabiting relationships.