Paying out a partners beneficial interest

Noodling

Hi.  Situation is that I and long term partner are splitting up - we are not married. The house we live in is in my sole name, however we have both jointly paid mortgage, council tax, utilities and the like.  We have agreed a figure that ex-partner is happy to receive to vacate the property and relinquish further rights etc.  Nothing is written down; there are no deeds of trust or anything like that.

How do I go about safely executing the transfer of money to ex-partner such that I am legally safe from any future claims? 

Do I need a solicitor?  In which case, what type - conveyancing specialist or family law specialist?

Can I safely do it DIY?  If so, can anyone point me towards proforma templates I could use please?

Thanks in advance.

TBagpuss

Ideally get a family lawyer to draw up a separation agreement which explicitly sets out that the payment is in full satisfaction of any claims your partner has against you in relation to the house or the relationship -then make payment after the agreement has been signed and make sure that the reference on your bank transfer is  'house payment' or something similar, and print off and keep a copy of the transaction with  your copy of the agreement.  The agreement can also set out the date on which they will move out, and, if you wish, tie up any other loose end s such as closing a joint accounts, dividing home contents etc. 

Ideally ask your partner to sign a receipt.

You could simply do it by way of receipt - signed by your partner confirming that they have received £xx in dull satisfaction of any and all claims they may have in relation to the property and that they agree they have no legal or beneficial interest in it, but to be honest, I'd spend the extra and get it properly drawn up if I were you.