More couples are staying together because they can't afford to live alone, according to research published this month.

One in 20 people feel financially shackled to their partner, and rising property prices and debt levels are seen as a reason for couples putting money over love explains Dorset law firm Coles Miller.

"Recent research conducted by a national building society revealed that one in 10 people would be more likely to consider leaving their partner if money was not an issue, with 7% of those questioned saying they were currently unhappy in their relationship" reports solicitor Emma Hamilton Cole.

The survey also showed that women were the most anxious about the financial implications of a break-up, with 35% saying they would not be able to afford their mortgage repayments if they split up from their partner, compared with 15% of men. Being under financial pressure has even forced some former couples to continue sharing a property after they have split up, with 11% of people saying they have friends who had been in this position.

Nearly one in 5 women (18%) said they would be forced to return to work, and one in 6 (16%) would have to rely on their ex for financial support.

Three-quarters (76%) of those questioned said they felt there had been an increase over the last five years in the number of couples who couldn't afford to split up.

A similar number (75%) said they believed this was because couples now had a large amount of equity in their shared property, which made it difficult for one partner to buy the other out. Two-thirds (64%) blamed high property prices and 41% claimed increasing personal debt made it difficult to afford to live alone.

"In order to reduce the financial burden in the unfortunate event that things do take a turn for the worse, it pays to be prepared and many cohabiting couples are now taking practical steps, at the commencement of the cohabitation or during their cohabitation, to try to foresee the sort of issues which may arise and reach agreement in advance. This not only reduces the financial burden but also the emotional strain of resolving disputes at a later stage" advises the family law specialist.

"There are a number of steps which can be taken including having documentation prepared to specify shares of ownership in a property. However, also completing a cohabitation contract can set out arrangements for the property and other assets and liabilities on separation, as well as planned arrangements for children" concludes the local law firm.

For more information regarding cohabitation contracts or other family matters, contact Emma Hamilton Cole on 01202 694981 or email family@coles-miller.co.uk