Divorce is a difficult process to go through; it’s emotionally challenging and even the most civilised of break-ups can take a lot of getting used to. Divorce can be one of the most devastating events to happen in a person’s life outside of illness and death; it can feel like death – you’ve lost someone you loved and you are grieving in your own way. Even if you still see your ex-spouse because you have…
The short answer is 4-6 months as long as there are no complications. Dissolving a civil partnership is not always an easy decision to make; it can be an emotional and stressful time, but it is important to know that apart from ending your partnership, separate financial decisions will also need to be made that can affect how you move on with your life. If you are in a civil partnership in England or Wales,…
Despite a positive outcome for many, all adoptions are first created through loss; birth parents must part with their child and the child must part with the birth parents. Adoption loss can be caused by a range of factors, including relinquishment of the child by birth parents, removal of the child by child welfare authorities, or a voluntary decision by adoptive parents to end an adoption. In each unique case, the individual may experience a sense…
“When your marriage has broken down, it can be a traumatic experience. If you also consider all of your matrimonial assets including pensions, property and the impact it may have on any children, it would be pragmatic to seek professional legal advice.” You may or may not be aware, but as part of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, ‘no- fault divorce’ has replaced our out-dated divorce process in the hope of better reflecting…
Most couples get engaged before marriage, but what happens if they don’t make it down the aisle? There are some legal ramifications to consider when breaking off an engagement. Before the Family Law Act 1981 came into effect, the happy announcement of an engagement was considered to be a legally binding contract. If the engagement was called off without any lawful justification, the person responsible for pulling out could be sued for damages for breach…
Your Missing Child : What you can do in a Child Abduction situation If you believe that the other parent or a family member is planning to take your child abroad without your permission, we are here to help. Do you believe the other parent or a family member is planning to take your child abroad without your consent? Has your child’s other parent or family member already taken your child out of the country…
R H-N and Others (Children) (Domestic Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearings) [2021] EWCA Civ 448 Introduction R H-N and Others is a combined appeal case which came before the Court of Appeal. The appeal largely focuses on the interrelation between proceedings concerning the arrangements for children and allegations/findings of domestic abuse. The court’s ruling has produced new guidance for the family law courts in England and Wales to follow and has demonstrated a heightened focus…
Divorce: issues with service of the petition You have served a divorce petition and a sealed copy has been sent to your spouse with an acknowledgement of service form to return. Your spouse ignores the petition and fails to return the acknowledgement. What can you do about this issue? Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general information only and reflects the position in the law at the date of publication. It does…
Disclaimer: The coronavirus guidance on compliance with child arrangement orders information in this article is intended for general information only about the impact of Covid-19 on child contact arrangements and reflects the position in the law at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated or relied upon as such. It is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary have today…
Grandparents do not have an automatic right of access to their grandchildren, that is, legal right to see their grandchildren if a parent denies them access. There is no legal presumption that contact with a grandparent, or any other extended family member, is in a child’s best interests. In Re A (A minor) (Grandparent: contact) [1996] 2 FLR 153 Butler-Sloss LJ presumed that a parent should have contact with their child unless there are cogent…
