Much of the internet has been consumed by gossip, rumour and theorising on the separation of influencer, Molly-Mae Hague and boxer, Tommy Fury.
The news on social media, Google and seemingly everywhere else is centred on the breakup.
However, I’ve seen very little said on the matter from a legal perspective – despite it being a relatively common occurrence that is poorly understood by most.
As a non-married couple, with a young child and (presumably) financial connections, there are more legal issues to deal with than you might expect.
A quick back story
Molly-Mae Hague is an influencer and business owner who appeared on the fifth season of Love Island where she met Tommy Fury, brother of Tyson Fury, both boxers.
As a cruiserweight, Fury has had a colourful career as a professional fighter, facing off against opponents like YouTubers KSI and Jake Paul.
Love Island is a reality TV show where singles are brought together in a luxurious villa, tasked with forming romantic connections while navigating challenges and dramatic recouplings all in pursuit of love (and a cash prize).
The pair were highly popular on the show finishing in second place and have since continued the relationship, posting about it regularly on social media.
In 2023, Molly-Mae gave birth to their first child, Bambi.
Fury and Hague announced the end of their relationship in August 2024 and numerous accusations of unfaithfulness have been levelled at Fury in the weeks since.
What happens to Bambi now?
While the emotional and social aspects of such a breakup are widely discussed, the legal implications deserve equal attention, particularly when a young child and financial ties are involved.
The first and foremost consideration in any separation involving children is their welfare.
Molly-Mae and Tommy, like any parents, will need to determine where Bambi will live and how they will share parental responsibilities.
In legal terms, this involves coming to an agreement on child arrangements, which includes deciding on Bambi’s primary residence and the level of contact each parent will have.
Given the high-profile nature of their lives, and the potential media scrutiny, I’d advise that both parties should attempt to reach an agreement privately.
Mediation can be an invaluable tool in this process, allowing them to negotiate the terms of Bambi’s care without the need for Court intervention.
If they are unable to agree, either parent may apply for a Child Arrangements Order from the Court, which will formalise where Bambi lives and how often she spends time with each parent.
Both Molly-Mae and Tommy have parental responsibility for Bambi, meaning they both have the legal right to be involved in major decisions regarding her upbringing, including her education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Fundamentally, this shared responsibility does not change because of their separation, and any decisions should be made with Bambi’s best interests at heart.
What happens to the pair’s finances?
Financial matters can become particularly tricky for non-married couples.
Unlike married couples, Molly-Mae and Tommy do not have the same rights to claim spousal support from each other.
However, Tommy is legally obligated to provide child maintenance for Bambi – unless there is an equal shared care arrangement.
The amount of child maintenance can be calculated through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) based on Tommy’s income.
It is important for Tommy to ensure these payments are made regularly and in accordance with the CMS guidelines to avoid legal complications.
Molly-Mae may also consider whether to seek additional financial support under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.
This legislation allows for unmarried parents to apply for financial provision for their child beyond basic maintenance, potentially covering housing costs, educational expenses, or other significant costs that benefit Bambi.
However, this would require a separate legal application and could involve a more detailed examination of both parties’ finances.
Another area of potential dispute is the division of any shared property or assets.
If Molly-Mae and Tommy own property together, they will need to decide how to divide it.
It is understood that the property they both lived in, is owned in Molly-Mae’s sole name.
It is unclear from the information disclosed so far as to whether Tommy made any investments to the property and if he is seeking to assert a beneficial interest.
In cases where the property is in one party’s name, but both have contributed, the non-owning party might seek a beneficial interest in the property under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA).
This could lead to legal proceedings if an agreement cannot be reached, making it essential for both parties to seek legal advice.
If the property is owned by one party but both contributed to its purchase or upkeep, the non-owning party might claim a beneficial interest in the property, which could lead to legal proceedings if an agreement cannot be reached.
It is also worth considering any joint bank accounts, investments, or business interests that may need to be separated.
Given that Molly-Mae is a successful business owner, the division of any shared financial assets or interests could become complex, particularly if one party believes they have contributed more to the partnership’s financial success.
The immediate future will be pretty complex when it comes to the legal aspects of their relationship, especially their finances and child arrangements.
They’ll both want to consult with a solicitor to ensure that all arrangements are fair and that their best interests are represented.
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