Separation is a stressful time particularly when children are involved. The breakdown of marriage or a long terms relationship is one of the most emotionally draining life events. Read More
With the Government introducing the Three Tier system on Wednesday and some areas being subject to harsher lockdown restrictions than they were last week. Read More
Lockdown restrictions eased between 23 June 2020 and 01 August 2020 and the UK started towards a reconstructed normality after almost three months of a complete lockdown. Read More
Many people contemplate getting a divorce for years. Their fear of change and loss overrides their wish or need for a different future. Read More
The agony of indecision. Not bad enough to leave not good enough to stay. Some people contemplate the decision to leave their partner for many years. Read More
Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez announce divorce after two years The fashion in celebrity land appears to be a quiet divorce and continuation of family life. Read More
It is important to ensure that the financial aspect of your divorce is complete especially if you are a rich international businessman or woman. Read More
The case of Sharland v Sharland in the Supreme Court confirms that fraud will not be tolerated in the Family Courts and the previous Consent Order was set aside with an order for a re-hearing of the wife’s claim. Read More
The divorce process in England and Wales is made of the seven stages. It is fault-based and the majority of petitions are based upon what is known as “behaviour”. Read More
Here is a post that was lying fallow in my draft box: A Judge has expressed despair over a wealthy family that have legal fees in excess of £700,000.00 and their case is still focused on a preliminary issue as reported in The Telegraph. Read More
Britain’s most acrimonious divorce continues. Scot Young is facing some tough questions. Is he bankrupt or is he a liar hiding vast wealth? Read More
Some people live in relationship limbo-land for years. They can’t decide whether to leave or stay. Read More
More people over 60 are getting divorced, which is the opposite trend to the rest of the nation’s age groups. Read More
In a recent case (Vince v Wyatt), a former traveller, whom at the time of his divorce was on state benefits, had the unwelcome news that his ex wife was seeking a share of his multi-million pound fortune 20 years after they had divorced. Read More
One compelling reason: Legal finality. What are the problems if I don’t have one? Your ex-spouse can come back at any time in the future and make a claim against you, regardless of how much money you have given them to go away, regardless on how fair your agreed division was. Read More
Most of the news is gloomy. End of legal aid for many. Rich divorcing couples told off by judges for squabbling and squandering their money on legal fees. Read More
The COOP have obtained a lot of press interest today – the day after Legal Aid is withdrawn by claiming that they offer fixed fee legal advice unlike other solicitors. Read More
Lots of people hear this term when they are contemplating divorce and separation but they do not know what it means. Read More
The fate of Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce is to be determined by a judge today who will hand down their sentences upon their conviction for perverting the course of justice. Read More
Fixed Fee Collaborative Law The Structure Four way meetings which includes you, your partner, your lawyer, and your partner’s lawyer. Read More
We are excited to announce our Fixed Fee Collaborative Law Service. Both lawyers have agreed to work for a fixed fee – they work together but from different firms so both you and your ex-partner can benefit from this excellent deal. Read More
The vast majority of Publicly Funded Mediation clients are referred to a Mediator via their Publicly Funded solicitor. Read More
One of the irritating things about getting divorced in England and Wales is that the divorce itself does not deal with the finances. Read More
Our current system for dividing the spoils upon divorce is the most uncertain of all. It is based upon an individual judge’s view of what is fair. Read More
If one party goes bankrupt after a divorce and has not repaid the other what happens to the debt? Read More
The aim when couples divorce is to rehouse both in similar housing commensurate with the standard of living during the marriage and taking into account all the factors of the case. Read More
So we British should loosen up, commit adultery and stay happily married like the French? An article in The Telegraph admonishes us to do just that. Read More
In an unusual case, a father had succeeded in applying for a Prohibited Steps Order to prevent his divorcing wife moving house – this was to facilitate Contact with his children as he lived nearby. Read More
Arbitration is now available for Family Law disputes. It was set up last month by the non profit making Institute of Family Law Arbitrators. Read More
When divorcing it is no longer possible to follow the self help route and obtain the other parties documents to show that they have more money than they are admitting to. Read More
The fear of change can paralyse some people into staying in an unhappy situation for years. Read More
Let this be a lesson to you. Britain’s biggest divorce payout has been reported in The Guardian. Read More
When couples separate there is often a lack of trust. This can be based upon events that have happened or worry and anxiety about events that might happen. Read More
If there is a dispute as to the valuation of the family business it will be necessary to instruct a forensic accountant on a joint basis to value the business. Read More
The High Court has ruled that a wife cannot have a bigger slice of her husband’s wealth as reported in The Telegraph. Read More
According to the The Telegraph, the Court of Appeal will hear a banker’s case to end his monthly maintenance payments to his ex-wife. Read More
According to the Vice President of Google, credit card companies can predict who is going to get divorced 2 years in advance – with 98% accuracy. Read More
According to the Office of National Statistics the number of divorces in England and Wales has fallen for the sixth year running. Read More
The reduction in Legal Aid is predicted to see an increase in the number of litigants in person. Read More
An article in The Observer outlines the pitfalls of using an online divorce service. The article states that it is suitable for people with no assets, or children and who have had a short marriage. Read More
Government legal advisers are drawing up plans to make Prenuptial Agreements legally binding according to the Daily Mail. Read More
Apparently men go off women who add girth… even if it is only half a stone as reported in the Daily Mail. Read More
Yes if you want peace of mind! Getting divorced is not enough. A lottery winner paid his ex-wife who he had been divorced from for 10 years £2 million in an out of Court settlement as reported in The Daily Mail. Read More
A father and son are in Court arguing over whether the £5.1 million paid to the deceased mother upon divorce should be varied. Read More
Ken Clarke announced today no more Legal Aid for Private Family Law cases unless they involve domestic violence, forced marriage or risk of children being taken into care as reported in The Guardian. Read More
The Supreme Court has ruled that Pre-Nuptial Agreements, entered into willingly by both parties, are to be given decisive weight unless there are factors which render it unfair as reported throughout the press and the attached is Channel 4’s version. Read More
If your spouse is adjudged bankrupt whilst Divorce Proceedings are ongoing then any subsequent agreement concerning the Matrimonial Finances can be set aside by the Trustee in Bankruptcy. Read More
Seems it depends what else he/she has going for him. According to this article in the Daily Mail one wealthy Surrey housewife has decided to stay with her husband as she cannot give up the lifestyle. Read More
Is divorce now acceptable? Expected even? It is certainly more affordable with the tax credits system. Read More
Yes or no? People often ask: “Can I date now that we’ve started divorce proceedings?” The answer most often is: “No!” Amicable divorces can be turned into acrimonious divorces overnight if your spouse finds out. Read More
Yes! As the law stands they are one of the factors that the Court can take into account in deciding what is a fair settlement based on the individual case facts. Read More
Some people going through divorce and separation obtain copies of their ex-partner’s financial documents without permission of their ex in the interest of “self help”. Read More
Yet another boring article by the Daily Mail this time claiming that the Divorce rate is about to rise as the recession is ending. Read More
In a divorce the legal ownership of assets can be distributed by the Courts in the following ways: Lump Sum Order The Court can order one spouse to transfer a lump sum to another. Read More
Perhaps. Even a Private Agreement, such as a verbal Agreement to “split everything equally”. If it is deemed fair to hold both parties to the Agreement then the court will uphold it, even if it would have ordered a different settlement. Read More
I have set up a series of divorce workshops to answer the questions you need answering when you are contemplating divorce: What are my rights? Read More
Some people can’t get over a separation and desperately want a reconciliation. If you have any chance at all remember: Begging and Pleading is not attractive. Read More
I have set up a new blog Divorce Workshop to discuss the Divorce Workshops which I am holding. Read More
There is a big difference between £400 million and zero, the varying estimates of Mr Young’s worth. Read More
A Consent Order is the legal document which finalises financial claims on divorce. There is normally a clause which states “in full and final settlement of all claims which either party has against the other”. Read More
There should be only one reason – because you have tried every reasonable route to compromise and you cannot stand living with your spouse any longer. Read More
The results of getting divorced can be very unfair. Some people are unconcerned and simply move on – some go to extremes – burn it down before she gets hold of it is a phrase we have all heard. Read More
What happens when your ex tries to cause trouble? Lots of people in this world are jealous – it is obvious to everyone except them! Read More
Sorry I have not been blogging recently – I have been engulfed in all things baby! Read More
Sometimes it matters a lot. If you are the petitioner you have control of the proceedings and the respondent can only stop the divorce under very limited circumstances and if the petition is based on certain facts. Read More
Spending fun time with friends and family can bond couples together and add fond memories to their loving relationship. Read More
That depends on why you are getting divorced and how unhappy you are now. Only you know the answer to this. Read More
Probably not! Going away together and being forced to spend all day and night in each others’ company can be the final sign that divorce is afoot. Read More
This is a seasonal photo, looking forward to and celebrating Halloween, Bonfire night, crisp autumn evenings and the fact that we live in this country in this century! Read More
When people are going through separation and divorce they can react in panic and seek advice from where ever they can get it. Read More
Lots of people think about getting divorced for at least 2 years before they do anything about it. Read More
I have been so busy that I have not had time to post on this blog, or do my knitting! Read More
This is one of the most popular search terms on this blog. Everyday there are hits relating to this. Read More
If ever you have a chance to buy out a nominal maintenance order or need to litigate to get rid of one, this article in THE TIMES should be a warning to all you men out there to make sure you get a clean break! Read More
Remorse No matter how much you wanted it there will usually be a sense of regret and failure. Read More
Maybe, rarely, not in my experience. Surprisingly, it is typically couples who have gone through the most acrimonious divorce who choose to reconcile. Read More
I have been contacted by Ian Rispin, a man going through divorce who has felt the need to set up a divorce information website wikivorce which he describes as the: “first social/networking community website in the UK” Not sure what that means exactly, but I would opinion that most people only want to talk about their own divorce. Read More
It is difficult to feel sorry for the rich but the Divorce regime in this country does appear biased against wealthy individuals divorcing their less wealthy spouses. Read More
There is an article in The Daily Telegraph that outlines the increasing number of oldies that are getting divorced. Read More
There is a shocking report in The Daily Telegraph which states that an ex-wife of a bankrupt can have her settlement overturned, if her ex husband goes bankrupt within 5 years, even if the settlement was made after consideration of all the factors of the case and a Consent Order was drawn up in the normal way. Read More
A High Court judge has ruled that a divorcing wife of a millionaire cannot expect compensation beyond her needs and has awarded a clean break (final settlement) of £13 million. Read More
The case of Charman returns to Court next week with John Charman arguing that £48 million is too much for his wife. Read More
Separating couples, frequently can’t stand remaining under the same roof once the decision to part has been made but often this is the only practical option. Read More
The first question people ask is: What am I entitled to? The second question is: How much will it cost? Read More
The 80/20 rule, or Pareto principle is an economic rule that 80% of resources are spent producing 20% of output. Read More
The agony of discovering that your partner has been unfaithful leaves you with a big unanswered question. Read More
There is a review of marriage and divorce in the Sunday Times. It purports to analyse why people get divorced and what attributes they value in a marriage. Read More
Dissatisfaction with their Christmas dressing gown which is two sizes too small may make many women long for a more romantic relationship. Read More
Ready to place your bets? It looks like the fight of the century is going all the way to a final hearing. Read More
Where’s our money gone? Once the decision to separate is made it is important to protect your credit score. Read More
Ketchup On The Carpet The relentless fascination and obsessive coverage of the Heather Mills – Paul McCartney divorce saga continues. Read More
Allegations, Allegations, Allegations The front page of one of the newspapers I am least likely to buy ever drew me like a magnet today, which cost me 45 pence. Read More
No! How do I stop my spouse divorcing me? There are very limited circumstances in which you can stop a divorce. Read More
Friendly divorce? Couples separating without acrimony, who have grown apart and no longer love each other and simply wish to go their separate ways, often ask whether one solicitor can represent them both. Read More
We only stay together because of the dog! This is not so uncommon, indeed there are plaques in many kitchens testifying such. Read More
What Is A Consent Order? A Consent Order is the legal document by which financial matters are finalised on divorce. Read More
Should I Date When Trying To Get A Divorce? No Should I Smoke? No Should I Take Anti-Depressants? Read More
IF YOU ARE A MAN A classic sign is INDIFFERENCE. Unfortunately, men often misinterpret this and think that their marriage has improved. Read More
How Can I Get A Divorce? Many people want to divorce because they simply don’t love each other any more. Read More
Arguing Over The Goods Generally people fall into 3 groups: THE GOOD He/she can have everything.These people have either moved on emotionally or they simply don’t care about the T.V, often they are not even in the position to replace what they leave behind. Read More
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