Hi,
I have a question about how to prove the relationship of common-law, please kindly give me some advice.
My partner and I have been together for nearly 8 years, but haven’t got married yet. By now, we only have the following proofs, but we are not sure if they are enough.
The evidence we can provide:
1) A statutory declaration of a common-law union, which is administered by Notary Public
2) The love story during the 8 years. This includes
- photos, e-tickets, visa stamps with the same date for every overseas trip.
- photos for dating/anniversaries/birthday celebration
- overseas student visa. (we had studied abroad in the same university for about one year)
- we were classmate in university in our own country
3) rental agreement for one year. (2016/11~2017/11 and we are currently living at the same address but the lease didn't renew formally.)
4) Shopping invoice showing in the same address
BUT, we do not have:
5) joint bank account / shared credit cards
6) bills for utilities /credit cards showing we have the same address (we both use e-bills…)
7) my life insurance which names my partner as beneficiary
I think it would be strange if we open a joint account or to have an insurance contract naming my partner as a beneficiary right now because the timing is too close to our APR submission date. In addition, I think these two only can say we are in a relationship instead of cohabitation.
Therefore, we would like to ask for some advice if we need to create more evidence? or if there is other evidence we could use to support our relationship?
In addition, we have been living in the current flat for more than one year, but we didn’t make a formal renewal lease. Do we have to request the landlord to sign a formal lease for our extended rental period?