Petition · Ministry of Justice

Stop proposed change to financial rights for cohabiting couples without children

Open for signatures 18 signatures

What the petition asks

Limit the proposed changes to financial remedies on divorce for cohabiting couples to those with shared children only. Unmarried couples without children should not be given a 3 year time limit after which one of them can apply for the proposed financial remedy.
We believe the proposed changes give people a 3 year time limit to financially commit or to break off the relationship. In our view, couples working at their problems, approaching 3 years, may just decide to break up. This could be a huge burden on the property market. We believe many relationships may be broken off and those with weaker finances will be left searching for a home, with people focussing on matching with someone at a similar financial level to themselves to ensure they aren't going to be left after 3 years and lose half their wealth.

Timeline

3 Jul 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 18
Status Open for signatures
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 3 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.