Common law couples urged to safeguard their finances

By Halshane Burke    

 

Jamaicans in common law relationships are being encouraged to safeguard their finances to avoid being left empty handed in he event of a break-up.

 

Under the law, a man and a woman must be co-habiting as husband and wife for at least five years to be able to fulfil the requirement of common law status.

 

Attorney-at-law Debbie-Ann Hutchinson says all parties must be very clear as to their status in the relationship and protect themselves financially. 

 

"If you're in a common law relationship, at some point throughout that relationship, you have to establish the type of relationship that you have. If one person is purchasing an asset and they are refusing to add your name for whatever reason, add your name to the title, then that should be a red flag for you. And at that point, you should be thinking that you should be acquiring assets in your name only. You have to protect your financial interests in these types of relationships," she advised. 

 

"It's not wise to be in this relationship for prolonged period of time, over a decade, two decades, and you don't take steps to ensure that your financial interests are protected. And this applies to the man and the woman, but I must say in most circumstances, it is in regards to the woman," said the attorney.