According to the Office for National Statistics, there has been a significant rise in couples choosing to cohabit before marriage across the UK. Following an analysis of data spanning the past 20 years, instances of cohabitation before marriage have increased by 16.43%.
This trend comes as data revealed that the average cost of a UK wedding reached £20,700 in 2022, prompting many couples to prioritise shared living expenses over wedding costs.
Beth Critchley, Solicitor at Rayden Solicitors who are experts in cohabitation agreements, highlights that there is a common misconception that cohabiting elevates the legal status of a relationship, giving the parties what is sometimes referred to as a ‘common law marriage’.
However, the solicitor warns that there is “no such thing as common law marriage, it is a myth”, and urges those currently cohabiting to understand how this could impact their rights.
Following an analysis of recent ONS data, there has been a 16.43% increase in individuals choosing to live together before marriage across the UK. This doesn’t signal the death of marriage. In fact, all areas of the UK have saw an increase in marriage rates between 2021 and 2022, with the highest increase reaching 24.8% in Yorkshire and the Humber, followed by the North East with a 23.59% rise.
This suggests that cohabitation might be a step towards, rather than away from, traditional unions for many. Beth Critchley said:
“This shift represents a broader change in how people across the country now view partnership and long-term commitment. In modern society, people are far more likely to simply live together and share their lives, as opposed to forming a civil partnership or getting married. It is also far more common nowadays for couples to live together before marriage, even if they do intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership at some point.
These decisions are often motivated by finances and practicalities and indeed one may consider “trialling” living together prior to getting married to be a sensible plan. However, it is important for individuals in cohabiting relationships to be aware of their legal standing and to consider proactive measures to protect their rights and interests.”
