A divorce has the effect of legally bringing a marriage to an end. Divorce can only be granted if the marriage has irretrievably broken down and the couple must have been married for at least one year prior to the commencement of divorce proceedings. A dissolution is the term given to the termination of a civil partnership. The procedure is broadly the same as for divorce. Our family lawyers can help in both areas.

Legal issues pertaining to children are some of the most emotionally-charged and sensitive cases which we deal with. Such cases must be handled with a high degree of professionalism and care. The decisions which are made by a Family Law Court in relation to children can have profound and life-changing consequences. As such decisions affect parental responsibility and determine when and with whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact.

This is the legal process by which individuals become a child’s parents, assuming full legal and parental responsibility for the child, despite not being his natural parents. Once the court has made an adoption order the child becomes a full member of the adoptive family. They take the surname of their adoptive parents and have the same rights and privileges as if they had been born to them. The procedure can be long and complex and as such, we recommend talking to our expert family lawyers.

Legal Separation is a legal process by which a married couple may undergo a de facto separation while remaining legally married. A legal separation is granted in the form of a court order, which if properly obtained forms a legally-binding consent. The most common reason for filing legal separation is to make interim financial arrangements, such as deciding who will pay bills, possess property, and whether maintenance is appropriate. Find out more from our family lawyers.

A Prenuptial Agreement (prenup) is an agreement made by a couple before they marry, setting out how they would like their assets divided in the event they divorce. A post-nuptial agreement is one entered into by a couple during their marriage that seeks to determine how their assets should be divided in the event of divorce or separation and/or regulate their financial affairs during the marriage.