Urbanisation, higher education, delayed marriages, greater economic independence for women and changing social attitudes have led to greater acceptance of live-in relationships. The Supreme Court’s latest ruling on legal protection against domestic cruelty to women in live-in relationships is a welcome development. Live-in partners generally do not inherit property automatically unless they are covered by a will, nomination or joint ownership. There is no law to ensure protection of rights for the partners in a live-in relationship, and for the status of children born to such couples. But in India, live-in partners face a plethora of problems, including difficulties in opening joint bank accounts, insurance and visas.