Looking for help in your family court proceedings?Bridge The Gap is a free, community-built guide to UK family court, written by litigants and McKenzie Friends, for litigants. Real observations, plain English, and people who can help.
Assumption: "If we own the house jointly, whoever paid more of the deposit or mortgage gets a bigger share when we split up."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
Unmarried couples who buy a property jointly often assume that whoever put in more money, whether for the deposit or the mortgage, will get more back when the relationship ends.
Court Reality
Where a property is bought in joint names with no declaration of trust, the law presumes you own it equally, regardless of unequal financial contributions. That presumption is a high bar to overturn. It takes clear evidence of a different agreement, or of a shared intention that changed later, to get anything other than a 50/50 split.
This insight was contributed by someone who has been through the family court system. Bridge The Gap is deeply grateful to everyone who shares their experience — your honesty helps bridge the gap for the next person still in it.
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The Gap?
"If we own the house jointly, whoever paid more of the deposit or mortgage gets a bigger share when we split up."
Court Reality
Where a property is bought in joint names with no declaration of trust, the law presumes you own it equally, regardless of unequal financial contributions. That presumption is a high bar to overturn.
Seen a gap between what you thought and the reality? Share yours.
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