After years of campaigning, the UK government has opened “A Fairer End To Relationships” consultation. The fight isn’t over. It’s entering a new phase.
Ann Loraine Marshall
My story is my qualification
Ann Loraine Marshall
I know what it is to be failed by the very systems that were supposed to protect you. I know the silence, the disbelief, the exhaustion of fighting institutions that were never designed with you in mind. As an unmarried partner of 11 years, I discovered the hard way that cohabitation offers almost no legal protection when a relationship ends. What followed was a masterclass in systemic failure, and the reason this book, this platform and this work exist. Now the UK Government has the consultation “A Fairer End to Relationships.” This is about 40 years too late, if you ask me. “My lived experience isn’t just my story, it reveals what legislation ignores and what reform demands.”
Storyline
2009
Started a relationship. Thinking she had found a kind, caring, generous businessman. Loraine had her own independent business as a property manager in student and family rentals in Sunderland, which she started in 2005.
2014
Loraine moved away from Sunderland to live in the home of her partner. There were a number of situations that were ignored, as Loraine made excuses for the bad behaviour. Known as red flags.
2015
The search for the Spanish retirement home ended in June with the purchase of a four-bedroom villa in its own grounds with olive and citrus orchards.
2016
A difficult situation played out in the Spanish home in front of friends who were staying over in July at the time of the Brexit Referendum in the UK. Loraine wrote her first “Dear Diary” entry in her iPad. The words she wrote flowed out from behind the tears. One sentence stuck out years later: “It‘s like emotional abuse and bullying the way you talk to me”
2017
December and the day after Christmas Day will never be forgotten. He motioned for me to sit next to him on the sofa, saying, “I‘ve got something to tell you”. He started saying, “Do you remember when I used to talk about my Wednesday Girl?” I just laughed because I thought he was about to tell a joke. It wasn’t a joke; it was a confession to my face. He was cheating.
2018
In January, he would be returning to the UK as normal. Only things were not normal any more. Before he left, he sat me down to explain something. He was going to start to pay money into my UK business account every month. That year was filled with panic attacks, and his verbal aggression and anger outbursts. This was the “Should I stay or should I go period.”
2020
This was the year people everywhere were forced into changes due to COVID-19. We spent 7 months together, and it felt like I was finally regaining confidence and trust again. I even danced in the City Carnival. There was a removal van booked to bring furniture from the UK to Spain. In August, he returned to Spain. Two days later, on August 27th, he dropped his bombshell. I now call this his 4-sentence DISCARD SPEECH!
Today 2026 – “A Fairer End To Relationships”
After five years of post-separation abuse, civil and criminal litigation. Many failed negotiations and mediation attempts. An out-of-court signed financial agreement in 2021 that was never honoured, I finally get to start my life over. I self-published my story under the pen name Loren Keeling in May 2022. In 2026 I have two books being published under my own name for the first time because silence no longer serves anyone. I have submitted a formal individual complaint to ECHR in 2023. I am actively engaged in the UK Government “A Fairer End To Relationships” consultation, which closes 14 August 2026. I volunteer as an Expert by Experience with Surviving Economic Abuse and will be taking part in the consultation process. This platform exists because my story is not unique. It is the story of hundreds of thousands of women across the UK and beyond, and the law must change. Read more… When Four Months Turns Into Four Years.
Mission
To empower survivors of domestic abuse to rebuild their lives and achieve financial independence, and to hold the systems that failed them publicly accountable.
Summer 2026 Book launches.The Dream I was sold and After The Discard – No Divorce Required. Truth After Abuse – Together We Are Stronger. Now Open a private membership Skool community to support women survivors any age, but my focus is on 40s, 50s, and 60+ women who are moving through healing and rebuilding after relationshp endings. After The 3 Ds – Divorce, Death of a spouse, Discard a sudden termination. From Trauma to Transformation. Founder Members can join FREE until the end of June and lock in your membership FREE as long as you remain. From the low membership starts at less than the cost of a couple of coffees a month $10 /Month – Cancel Anytime Or $100/Year
FREE training – The Centre For Healing. CLICK HERE for more details.
Consultation & Campaigning
The UK Government Consultation is open now. A Fairer End To Relationships.
A consultation on reforming financial remedies on divorce and strengthening protections for cohabitants at the end of their relationship closes 14 August 2026. If you have lived the injustice of having no legal protection after years in a committed relationship, your response matters. Or you have been involved in a Divorce where the legal bills took a huge chunk of the financial assets before you got to see any of it you should think about responding.
I am submitting a formal response and contributing through my volunteer role with Surviving Economic Abuse. If you want guidance on how to respond, join the community or get in touch directly. Contact Me
🚩Free Resource: Spot the hidden signs. Click here to access your free Red Flag Checklist. 🚩
