Marriage

[AuntieMary]

Can my boyfriend and I get married and continue living in separate accommodation, until we are able to finalise our living arrangements?

[Ethel]

Yes. There is no obligation for married couples to live together. Many don't - for various reasons.

[scoobydooby]

Ethel - how would the authorities know that a married couple living apart were 'together'. For example, I'm talking specifically about qualifying for tax credits, EMA, University bursaries etc......surely a 'married' couple could milk the system this way and not be found out? Lets assume couple decided not to live together but had two children. Kids live with mother who either doesn't work or works part-time on a low income. Wouldn't the mother then be entitled to all the single parent benefits? And even if people knew the couple's relationship was stable, it wouldn't make any difference would it? Oh god, I've started myself off on this again...........it's too early to be winding myself up!!!