Rights for partners who never married
Protecting property and inheritance rights when you lived as a family without registering a marriage — by written agreement, by establishing the fact in court, or by dividing property.
Travel to Ukraine
Not required in most cases
Typical timeline
2–6 months
Format
Legal agreement signed remotely
Language
Updates in English
Overview
When a common-law relationship has legal effect
Ukrainian law recognises property rights of a man and a woman who lived as a family without marriage, but those rights often have to be proven. We help you document the relationship and protect what you built together.
01
You lived together without registering a marriage
02
You bought property together during the relationship
03
Your partner died and you need to inherit
04
You are separating and need to divide property
Your options
Ways to protect your rights without a marriage
01
Written property agreement
Partners agree in advance how their joint property will be owned.
Usually 1–2 weeks
01
Establishing the fact in court
Proving that you lived as a family to protect property or inheritance rights.
Usually 2–6 months
01
Division of property
Dividing property acquired during the relationship when partners separate.
Usually 4–9 months
How it works
How we protect what you built together
01
Consultation
We review your situation and confirm the right route.
01
Legal agreement
You sign remotely; we confirm the scope and fee in writing.
01
Evidence of family life
We collect evidence that you lived as a family.
01
Agreement or claim
We prepare an agreement or file a claim with the court.
01
Registration
Property or inheritance rights are registered in your name.
What we need from you
Evidence of your life together
- Passport (copy)
- Evidence of a shared address
- Documents on joint purchases
- Photos, correspondence and witness contacts
- Children's birth certificates, if any
Scans are enough to start. We tell you if any document needs an apostille or translation, and arrange it if you prefer.
Related services
Often handled together
International parental child abduction
Hague Convention return and access cases involving Ukraine.
Common-law relationships
Property and inheritance rights for partners who were not married.
Property division
Dividing apartments, land and businesses in Ukraine.
FAQ
What clients ask before filing
Not covered here? Ask an attorney directly during your consultation.
Can we protect our property in advance?
Do the rules on children differ for unmarried parents?
Can a common-law partner inherit?
How do I prove that we lived as a family?
Do unmarried partners have property rights in Ukraine?
Let's put an end to the uncertainty.
Tell us about your matter. An experienced attorney will review it and lay out your options — clearly and in English. We always see the matter through to the end.
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Results & Client Voices
Outcomes our clients felt from abroad
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