Family structures and sizes are much more diverse today, and different parts of the world treat different types of unions, both formal and informal, very differently.

Planning for couples globally can be very difficult as clients seek to ascertain the various laws and rights that exist in a client’s chosen jurisdiction of residence and, sometimes, also elsewhere. This applies to married, unmarried, civil union and cohabiting couples, especially in jurisdictions that allow common law marriage or palimony. Couples who are not traditionally married may also find that some jurisdictions consider them to be married whereas others do not, causing a multitude of potential legal difficulties.

Dentons Rodyk has the experience and knowledge to assist all types of couples with planning for the future. Rely on us to advise you on the property rights of couples, presently together, separated or divorced, involving: preparation of pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements, anti-palimony, cohabitation and other domestic agreements. We also provide planning for what is to occur when a member of a couple dies, utilizing estate planning opportunities available only to married couples and others that are only available to those that are unmarried, as appropriate.

Our team of experienced lawyers are also able to offer you professional legal advice on divorce and separation proceedings, having represented clients in different family law cases relating to divorces, custody disputes, adoptions and the division of high value matrimonial assets. Depend on us to provide you with the guidance and support in achieving optimal solutions that are connected to such proceedings.