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Mon 04 Apr 2010Cohabitants to have legal rights after five years
THE CIVIL Partnership Bill is likely to be amended to extend the period of time a couple can cohabit before legal obligations come into force from three to five years, it is expected.
The proposed legislation will provide for the rights and responsibilities of heterosexual and homosexual cohabitants as well as the registration of same-sex civil partners. Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern will seek to have the length of time before which legal liabilities in relation to property, maintenance and pensions apply extended to five years, a source said. Opposition parties would welcome such a move.
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