With the number of cohabiting couples increasing, it is important to understand the legal framework which may affect your relationship. A cohabiting couple is a same-sex or opposite-sex couple who are not married or in a civil partnership. When cohabiting, neither party has any legal status as a common law husband or wife. Such terminology […]
Prenuptial agreement A prenuptial agreement is a formal agreement signed before you get married or enter into a civil partnership. The agreement details who owns which assets and how you think these should be divided should you divorce or separate. The courts are increasingly inclined to consider the terms of such an agreement, although such […]
Sorting out finances and deciding who should receive what is often the most difficult part of any relationship ending. It can also be the most time consuming and costly aspect, often not being completed until after a divorce or dissolution is finalised. The assets acquired during a marriage or civil partnership are known as the […]
Mediation is not designed to assist parties to reconcile. In mediation it is assumed that your relationship has broken down and the focus is on helping you sort out issues such as separation, divorce, children, property and finances. It is available and applicable to divorcing couples and separating partners. The aim of mediation is to […]
There is no strict definition of domestic abuse but it may include controlling behaviour which results in the victim changing their own behaviour to try and avoid mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse and threats of violence. The behaviour can be directed towards an adult or a child. A relevant child in these cases is […]
Children One of the greatest anxieties faced by parents who are separating are the arrangements involving their children. Where they are going to live, who are they going to live with and when an absent parent may get to see them, are key concerns. This, at a time when relations are often fraught, can result […]
Whether you are married or living together, separation usually means the breakdown of a relationship and often the breakup of a family unit. When this happens, it is important to try to organise things to help you to become more secure and more in control of your own circumstances. In this factsheet we have put […]
In April 2022, the law on divorce and dissolution of civil partnership has changed to introduce a ‘no-fault’ divorce system. This guidance applies if you wish to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership or have applied to divorce/dissolve a civil partnership on or after 6th April 2022. Please note that any reference to ‘divorce’ in […]