If you were not married or in a civil partnership, you usually cannot claim ongoing financial support for yourself from your ex-partner just because the relationship has ended. English law does not recognise “common law marriage”. This means unmarried couples who live together do not have the same financial rights as people who divorce or end a civil partnership. Any financial claim between you will usually depend on who owns property, whether there is a cohabitation agreement, or whether you can show that you have a financial interest in a property.
If you have children together, different rules apply. You may be able to claim child maintenance from the other parent, usually through the Child Maintenance Service. In some cases, the court can also make financial orders for the child, such as a lump sum payment or help with housing, under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. These claims are for the child’s benefit, not personal maintenance for you.
