Divorce And Family Articles
Family law solicitor, Sarah Townsend, shares some of the questions she's often asked by clients. See our YouTube latest video on Divorce !
The current coronavirus crisis and the problems that the family courts are suffering in that minimal court hearings are taking place, means that reaching a solution through the court process is even slower.
Our family law team has seen an increase in recent weeks in requests for separated families to adopt an equal sharing of child care arrangements.
At Lawson-West Solicitors, we look at some of the recent Coronavirus surveys and statistics surrounding family issues and the impact of Lockdown on family life.
The long-awaited Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill concluded its passage through the House of Commons on 17 June this week, but implementation is not expected until autumn 2021.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [nicknamed the No-Fault Divorce Bill] is due to start its Second Reading today Monday 8th June
This articles outlines your options when your spouse ignores the divorce petition and refuses to return the 'acknowledgment of service form'.
Following this week’s announcement regarding school closures teamed with the need for social distancing and isolation, family lawyers are being asked how best to manage arrangements for children with separated parents.
Last year, journalist Freddy McConnell, who is now legally recognised as male and has undergone gender reassignment, lost the right to be named his child’s father at the High Court. This week, he has taken his case to the Court of Appeal.
Deciding to make an appointment with a family lawyer, is not usually a decision that you make lightly. You might have had some initial telephone contact and done your own research, but it is really a face-to-face meeting that will give you the most appropriate advice to manage your relationship issues.
Earlier this week, details were unveiled of an ‘enhanced’ version of the Domestic Abuse Bill. The Bill was first introduced in July 2019, but progress was halted because of September’s unlawful prorogation of parliament and December’s general election.
In the event of a relationship breakdown many believe that cohabiting couples have the same protection as married couples or couples in a civil partnership, but this is simply not true.
Simon Davis, President of The Law Society, comments on No-Fault Divorce in the UK and the Government’s Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill
With just over a week since the United Kingdom left the European Union, Emma Piff, Head of the Family Law team at Lawson-West, looks at the impact this is expected to have on Family Law.
Emma Piff, Head of Family, looks at the status of No-Fault Divorce legislation and the implications of the new Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill currently under review by the House of Lords
We have just had Christmas and blink, before we know it, February half term will be here. With this in mind Emma Piff, Head of the Family team at Lawson-West Solicitors has put together some hints and tips to help individuals navigate the school holidays as a separated parent.
For many, the cat or the dog sits at the heart of the family unit, they are loved by all and have a unique bond with each member of the family. When a relationship breaks down deciding on the fate of the pet can prove to be one of the hardest decisions.
To Wed, or Not to Wed - that's the question. Why Do You Need a Pre-Nup?
For separated parents, Christmas and the festive season can be a conflict where contact arrangements are involved and arguments about who gets to see the children on Christmas Day
After Christmas, employees not only have to deal with a poor relationship on a personal level, they also have to come into work and continue to act professionally despite the emotional turmoil going on in their head.
Solicitor, Charley Kelly, looks at the latest UK divorce statistics and identifies some interesting trends
Emma Piff, family solicitor at Lawson-West provides insight into the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing opposite-sex couples the choice to opt for a Civil Partnership, something only permitted to same-sex couples until now.
BREAKING NEWS - The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, which aimed to bring in a system of no-fault divorce, has also been automatically dropped as a result of the Prime Minister proroguing Parliament.
In this article we look at divorce and separation from the children’s perspective and consider ways to limit the impact of this life-changing event.
Have the winter blues got you thinking about planning your summer getaway? With January finally out of the way, weekend plans are filling up and many families are turning their attention towards this year’s summer holidays.
James Haworth, Head of Family Law at Lawson-West Solicitors reflects on the events of 2018, what we learned and how they will shape Divorce Law in the year ahead.
Lawson-West Solicitors are thrilled to be involved with the Leicester Business Festival 2018, the region’s largest business event. The Leicester Business Festival is an annual, two-week festival incorporating hundreds of free business events staged by local organisations within the local vicinity.
Separating isn’t a decision that is taken lightly. Whether it was your decision or your partner’s you’re still likely to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Married or not the consequences can be equally difficult.
The Government has announced plans to reform divorce laws, something that hasn’t been updated in 50 years despite colossal changes in modern society. In the past 50 years there has been a sharp rise in the number of marriages ending in divorce and the process is often unpleasant for those involved. Considered ‘archaic’ the reform is being welcomed by many.
The recent case regarding an unmarried mother of four’s right to receive this allowance has highlighted the difference in the rights of cohabiting, unmarried couples compared to those of couples who are married or in a civil partnership.
‘Schools out for summer’ is music to the ears for school children, less so for parents however. The prospect of having six weeks off school is really exciting but for parents, particularly separated ones, it can be a logistical nightmare. Juggling work commitments and child care arrangements can be a balancing act and when there is an ex-partner involved the level of complexity can often increase some more.
Since 2005 same sex couples have been able to form civil partnerships and in 2014 were granted the right to marry. Heterosexual couples can marry but cannot form civil partnerships and there is a call for this to be changed.
This week there has been a momentous breakthrough leading to a possible change, away from marriage. A heterosexual couple have won their legal bid for the right to have a civil partnership instead of marriage.
The Office for National Statistics published a review in 2017 which revealed that the number of unmarried couples living together has more than doubled from 1.5 million in 1996 to 3.3 million in 2017. This makes households of cohabiting couples the second largest family type in the UK, and the fastest growing. If this applies to you, it is important to know exactly what legal rights and entitlements you have.
Does divorce law need updating?
Divorce Law in England and Wales is now over 50 years old. Couples seeking a divorce must spend at least two years separated or one must blame the other for the breakdown of the marriage citing either the adultery or the unreasonable behaviour of the other. Even if both parties agree that the relationship is over, a divorce cannot be obtained on the basis of “irreconcilable differences” as is often thought. So even in those circumstances if a couple wishes to avoid waiting two years from the date of separation before commencing divorce proceedings, one must blame the other.
At Lawson-West our Family Law team deal with a variety of cases that vary in complexity and cost. The following case study is based on a separation where one party earns considerably more than the other, it looks at what factors are important when considering the division of matrimonial assets and in this case, how they are divided.
With the first school holiday of 2018 having already taken place, and the Easter break approaching quickly, many parents may be planning their next holiday with their children. But, when parents have separated this may not be an easy task. Consideration needs to be given to how much time the children will spend with each parent which can often lead to disagreements.
By instructing Lawson-West to deal with your divorce or separation you know that you are going to receive the very best legal advice and representation from a team with a combined 50 years’ experience.
At Lawson-West we understand the sensitive nature of divorce and separation, especially when children are involved. Despite a divorce ultimately being between two people, we believe where children are involved they must come first.
Depending on the age of the child, their awareness of the situation and understanding of the outcome is going to vary massively. Trying to get your own head around what is happening might seem difficult enough, but you must remember the children are equally affected by what is going on too and you need to put their needs first.
The breakdown of a relationship isn’t something people really want to think about, but with 42% of marriages ending in divorce, this is a reality for a lot of people.
If the worst was to happen, and you and your partner were unable to reconcile, the next step is seeking advice and finding a solution that is best for you.
Alistair Dobson, head of the Lawson-West Family department, has provided some advice for things to consider before instructing a Solicitor.
The growing price of property has resulted in 1 in 6 newly divorced couples having to continue living in the same house – a figure that has increased since 2014 when it was 1 in 10.
Today (Monday 8th January) is the day coined ‘Divorce Day’ by the media. This essentially means that this is the day people are most likely to make the call to a law firm or carry out internet research in order to find out more about the process of divorcing or separating from their spouse or partner.
Our team of Solicitors consists of dedicated specialists and lawyers who deal with Employment law, Family law, Wills and Probate, Residential Conveyancing, Commercial law and Dispute Resolution. Each team has vast experience collectively and have wide, in-depth knowledge of all possible matters and disputes.
Our team of Solicitors consists of dedicated specialists and lawyers who deal with Employment law, Family law, Wills and Probate, Residential Conveyancing, Commercial law and Dispute Resolution. Each team has vast experience collectively and have wide, in-depth knowledge of all possible matters and disputes.
Whether it's Christmas holidays, summer holidays or any other holiday time, for separated parents making arrangements to spend time with their children can prove to be very difficult. It is important to try and make these arrangements as soon as possible in the run up to any holiday period.
The Office of National Statistics has released figures for the amount of couples getting divorced in England and Wales in 2016 and recorded that rates have increased for the first time in a decade.
There has been a recent increase of people going to court for family law matters without instructing, or at least visiting, a Solicitor to gain professional legal advice about their case.
Family Solicitors are finding that their clients are using social media to talk about, or ‘bad mouth’ their ex-partners. It may be done in the heat of the moment or without much thought but these types of actions can have lasting consequences.
There has been a 10% increase in private law cases reported to Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) for applications for divorce, separation and child arrangements.
A case taken to the High Court has ruled in favour of a mother who wanted to prevent her parents bringing up her children after she gave them up for adoption. She did not even want them to know she had given birth to twins and this ruling means they never will.
