Views and analysis from our Family Law team on all the latest legal news, issues and developments.
Getting divorced or separated is never easy. There are plenty of legalities to arrange during this emotionally testing time. If you and your ex-partner have children, one of the key issues you’ll need to agree on is child maintenance, ensuring that...
Surrogacy is a popular option for single men or women and same sex partners who want to have a child. As part of the arrangement, a woman (the surrogate) gives birth to a child for an individual or couple (the intended parents). The process helps people to...
A narcissist is an individual who excessively admires themselves, craves attention and believes they are the most important person in the world. Attempting to co-parent with someone like this, who puts themselves before everyone else and wants to control...
Going through a divorce can a very stressful experience, both for the couple themselves, and for the rest of their family. Bringing a long-term relationship to an end is always likely to be difficult, even where the separation itself is reasonably amicable. ...
Millions of women across the UK experience symptoms of the menopause every day, but unfortunately we still don’t fully understand all of the physical, emotional and mental effects it may have. There does however, seem to be a correlation between...
For many, the question of who gains custody of the family pet during a divorce can be a major concern. People form strong bonds with their animal companions and deciding who is the best candidate to care for them during a divorce is a difficult and...
Divorce and separation can often be very difficult and, in some cases, can be particularly distressing. This is especially the case where your ex-partner proves to be very difficult to deal with both during and after proceedings. Some of the common issues...
Discovering your spouse has committed adultery can be devastating to your marriage. Whether the relationship was already struggling or it has come completely out of the blue, it is normal to feel betrayed and like you can no longer continue with the...
Having a child through surrogacy is an exciting and joyful time. But it can also be worrying, relying heavily on trust between you and the surrogate. During this time it can be comforting to have advice about your legal rights as well as some emotional...
More and more people, whether they are in a hetero-sexual relationship, same-sex relationship or are single, are using sperm donation to conceive. Intended parents can do this using sperm of an unknown person via a licensed clinic or via a person known to...
30 November 2020 marks the start of Resolution’s annual Good Divorce Week. Every year, the family law organisation, Resolution, runs a campaign to raise awareness about an issue close to the hearts of its members. This year, the focus is on the ...
Going through a divorce or civil partnership dissolution is stressful for everyone involved. There are so many threads to untangle with your former partner, from deciding on future living arrangements, to sorting out childcare, to deciding how to split your...
Adult adoption is legal in many countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and Germany, however, the UK is not one of them. Only a child under the age of 18 can be legally adopted in the UK and, unfortunately, many do not realise until it is too late. But...
If you need the court to assist with financial matters on divorce or dissolution, you and your former partner will have to complete a document called Form E. Your family lawyer may also ask you to (and help you) complete Form E if you want to resolve...
Thanks to scientific advances, there are a number of options available to individuals and couples who are unable, or find it difficult, to have children. One such option is donor insemination, otherwise referred to as sperm donation. This where an egg is...
Surrogacy is an increasingly common option for couples and individuals who wish to start a family but are unable to conceive themselves. In fact, according to the Law Commission , the number of children born through surrogacy could be up to 10 times higher...
Raising a child by yourself is a difficult and emotionally taxing task, but your situation can become even more complicated if you stop receiving child maintenance payments from your ex-partner. Missed payments can be detrimental for both you and your...
The breakdown of a relationship is an emotional and stressful time which can be made even more difficult if you are considering what arrangements need to be made for your children in the future. Having parental responsibility means you have rights and...
If you are going through a divorce, there are plenty of financial arrangements that need to be made. As your pension is likely to be one of your highest value assets, it is important to understand how it could potentially be divided between yourself and your...
Relocation after divorce or separation is a common cause of dispute between parents, particularly if one parent wishes to move abroad with the children from that relationship. There may be legitimate reasons for the move, for example they have a new partner...
A Consent Order lays out the financial arrangements between a divorcing couple, usually after the Decree Nisi has been issued, and makes them legally binding. Divorcing couples are encouraged to try to amicably come to an agreement between themselves or...
Separating from your partner is a stressful time and the feeling of uncertainty of what happens next can be overwhelming, particularly if you have children and you’re worried about being able to see them. There is a misconception that the law always...
An annulment is a way of ending a marriage, similar to a divorce. However, unlike a divorce where you must wait up to one year before you can apply, you can apply for an annulment at any time after the wedding. It is important to note that if you apply for...