On 1 June 2007, the Defacto Relationship Act, 1996 was amended by the Statutes Amendments (Domestic Partners Act, 2006) Act and therefore the new Act is called the Domestic Partners Property Act, 1996.

The new Legislation brings about many changes to Defacto Relationships and their break downs.  One of the changes is that Cohabitation Agreements are no longer called Cohabitation Agreements, and are now titled Certified Domestic Partnership Agreements; the Act also defines terms such as “Domestic Partner”, as “a close personal relationship” and “Spouse” which now recognises couples of the same sex.

Therefore, have a look at the new Domestic Partners Property Act, 1996 and familiarise yourself with all the changes that have been made.