22 April 2026

Nick Gova featured in the press on growth in cohabitation and an increase in lone parents living with adult children in the UK

Head of Family Nick Gova has been featured in the press discussing the latest family statistics from the Office for National Statistics, which show a steady growth in cohabitation and an increase in lone parents living with adult children in the UK.

Nick points out that the trends highlighted by the new figures create a far more complex picture and legal risks if family relationships break down.

He says: “Marriage may still dominate on paper, but the steady growth of cohabitation means more families are operating without the legal safety net they often assume they have.

“The increase in lone parents living with adult children reflects economic pressure, but legally it creates a far more complex household picture when relationships break down or estates are divided “The continued rise in lone father households challenges outdated assumptions around caregiving and reinforces the need for child focused outcomes rather than gender led expectations.

“What the ONS data really shows is that modern families are more fluid, multi generational and legally exposed, while the law still largely assumes much tidier outcomes.”

Read Nick’s comments:
Today’s Family Lawyer
Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary