We are delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of a new RHE Media title – Living Together and the Law: A Guide to Cohabitation by David Cobern. For more information on the book please visit the page for the book on this website at http://www.wordstothewise.co.uk/living-together-and-the-law.html The book provides comprehensive coverage of protective measures and remedies available to you as an unmarried partner. Written for a general readership, it provides clear and straightforward guidance on topics such as: property; children; finances; Cohabitation Agreements; unmarried partners and business interests; the death of an unmarried partner; Alternative Dispute Resolution, etc. |
Many couples living together in long-term unmarried relationships mistakenly believe they have the same rights as couples who are married. Some cohabitees think of themselves as the ‘common-law spouse’ and they believe they are in a ‘common-law marriage’. So it can come as a shock to discover that ‘common-law marriage’ is a myth and living with someone for a long time gives you no legal rights at all. Therefore, if it all goes wrong and you separate what do you do about, for example:
- the house you bought or rented together and the improvements you made to it that increased its value;
- the children you had together;
- the possessions you bought together or gave each other;
- the business you ran together?
The author is very clear that this is not a book about how to end a relationship. Instead it is a book that aims to prevent common areas of dispute between unmarried partners from becoming the reason for a breakdown in their relationship. Benjamin Franklin said that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ and these wise words apply in spades when talking about the potential legal and emotional costs of disputes between cohabitees. As a result this book could be the most cost-effective purchase you ever make!
This book may seem a bit of a departure from the publisher that has brought you The Dangerous Book for Grandads and humorous titles by Heath Robinson. However, Living Together and the Law is closely related to our overall mission to promote wellbeing. Establishing stable and lasting relationships is a key aspect of wellbeing for most human beings and, obviously, problems in relationships have huge implications for personal wellbeing, so the book provides valuable guidance on ways in which you can ensure that legal issues do not undermine your relationship with your partner.
The RHE Media mission statement is ‘Adding years to your life and life to your years’. As a publisher I am delighted to read that research now shows that reading books does exactly this! An article on Wednesday in The New York Times says that reading books is tied to a longer life – see the article at: http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2016/08/03/read-books-live-longer/?smid=fb-share&_r=3&referer=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/benefits-reading-include-longer-life-claims-study-371536
There may be several reasons why reading books contributes to living longer and reducing stress, a key life-limiting factor, could be one of them. An ideal way to prolong your life is therefore to read Living Together and the Law as this will reduce stress in two ways – firstly through the act of reading and, secondly, by providing solutions to potentially stressful issues in your relationship!