The Takeaways from Molly Mae Hague and Tommy Fury’s Split
Molly Mae Hague and Tommy Fury’s recent separation has once again sparked discussions about cohabitation and the legal protections available to unmarried couples in the UK. Molly Mae and Tommy met on Love Island and have gone on to share a home and start a family. However, as with millions of couples across England and Wales, they are not legally married.
Unlike married couples, cohabiting partners in England and Wales do not have a legal duty to support each other financially should the relationship end, nor do they have an automatic right to each other’s pensions or inheritance, unless specified in a will. So, cohabiting partner’s claims against each other are limited to claims against real property, whether owned jointly or in one person’s sole name.
In this case, it has been reported that Molly Mae owned the family home in her sole name. It is not clear who contributed to the property, or whether Tommy took steps to protect his own interest in it.
What does that mean for Tommy?
As the property is owned in Molly Mae’s sole name, she will usually be considered the owner and sole beneficiary. Tommy would need to prove he has made significant contributions, either financially or in other ways, or it had always been the parties’ intention that he would have an interest in the property, if he is to be able to stake any claim against it.
Arguments such as those are complex, expensive to run, and often difficult to prove.
What could Tommy have done to protect his interest in the property?
Foremostly, Tommy could and should have taken legal advice from a specialist family lawyer.
In an ideal world, Tommy would have been made a joint owner of the property at the time of the purchase. However, if for any reason that was not possible, he could have instructed solicitors to prepare a deed of trust, protecting any contributions he made to the property and ensuring they are repaid to him as and when the property is sold.
The preferred method, however, would have been for the couple to enter into a cohabitation agreement, setting out how the various assets of the relationship are owned, and how they will be dealt with when the parties separate. It is understandable that a happy couple do not want to think about a relationship ending, but taking a pragmatic approach at the start of cohabitation can save a lot of time, money, and upset, if the worst happens.
What about Bambi?
If Bambi is to live with Molly Mae, then Molly Mae could apply to the court for financial provision from Tommy, for Bambi’s benefit. She could ask the court to make orders such as top-up orders for child maintenance, and lump sum payments to provide for Bambi’s capital needs.
How can we help?
If you find yourself in a similar situation to Molly Mae or Tommy, our specialist team of family solicitors can assist you in understanding what, if any, claim you may have against the other person and help you to resolve the matter as quickly and amicably as ever possible.
Call us on 0116 212 1000 to speak with a member of the team or visit our website for more information.
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