Personal safety is a huge issue within the UK. Domestic abuse can take many forms including violence, verbal abuse and controlling behaviour

When a divorcing couple come to sort out their finances the question of what to do with pensions is often overlooked, avoided, or simply swept under the carpet because it is too complicated

Guardians are sometimes appointed by the Court where independent representation is needed for a child

Divorce very often can cause a great deal of stress and worry. Clients are often afraid of the unknown and seek advice before deciding to go through the process. It is therefore important to know what is involved

They thought it was all over, but it wasn’t…

Sir Andrew McFarlane, the President of the Family Division, recently delivered a speech in which he stressed the need for mediation in resolving family disputes. He said…

Getting a divorce under English law is now relatively straightforward after the law was modernised and the requirement to show grounds for the breakup of the marriage removed

The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a review of the laws which determine how finances are divided among couples after divorce or the dissolution of their Civil Partnership.

Here at Maxwell Hodge Solicitors, we offer an initial advice appointment of up to 1 hour face to face or via telephone

The overriding rule in matrimonial finances is for the husband and the wife to give full and frank disclosure of their assets.

What is a prenuptial agreement? A prenuptial or premarital agreement (commonly known as a pre-nup) is a formal, written agreement between two partners prior to their marriage or civil partnership.

Couples who share property and choose not to marry do not have the same legal rights when they split up as couples who do marry. Partner A and Partner B lived together in a house which they owned jointly. They split up in 2013. Partner A sent an email to Partner B stating that she…

When a relationship breaks down, it can be an extremely stressful and uncertain time.

Children’s right to have a relationship with both parents. A common misconception is that the parents have rights to a relationship with their child, although it is actually the child’s right to a relationship with their parents

Has a parent deserted their child with no means of contact? Has your partner deserted you and left you in a financial mess?

From the 6th April 2022, the usual five “proof’s” for a divorce (adultery, behaviour, 2 year separation with consent, 2 year desertion and 5 year separation without consent) will no longer be needed

Mediation is a procedure in which independent and professionally trained mediators help those who are having trouble agreeing on issues in relation to children and finances following separation.

Separation is an incredibly hard time for families and many parents don’t know where to turn for advice. 

Domestic abuse is a growing concern within the UK.   So what help outside of the police force is available for victims of domestic abuse?

The tech billionaire, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates have undertaken a Separation Contract prior to announcing their impending divorce. 

The procedure for resolving financial issues that arise when a marriage breaks down has been well tried and tested and will apply whether the issues are being dealt with through mediation, the courts or between solicitors.

The recent case of H-N (Children) (Domestic Finding of Fact Hearing) [2021] EWCA Civ 448 highlighted the growing problem of domestic abuse within children cases.

In statistics published last week from the Department of Work and Pensions, it was revealed that out of 2.4 million separated families in 2020, only 56% had child maintenance agreements in place.

Following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, the issue of domestic abuse is at the forefront of our minds.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics show that the rate of divorce for same sex couples doubled in 2019, compared to the previous year.

With lockdown still in effect in the UK, 2021’s Children’s Mental Health Week has received much more attention than usual with many children experiencing poor mental health whilst at home.

To attend and give evidence at a Family Court hearing is a daunting prospect for anyone. However, for those who have suffered abuse at the hands of their ex-partner, the stress of attending court will, undoubtedly, be increased.

What do you do when your spouse ignores divorce proceedings?

When sharing a home with your spouse or partner at the same time that your relationship breaks down, it is not unusual to suspect your partner of wrongdoing. 

Often for unmarried couples, separation is not only a stressful time because of the breakup of the relationship, but also as a result of the financial uncertainty it brings.

The overriding rule in matrimonial finances is for the husband and the wife to give full and frank disclosure of their assets. 

Court proceedings can be considerably stressful for parents. Often the court is the last resort if there has been little to no agreement reached over children matters.

The Family Court is overwhelmed with applications to resolve disputes between separated parents concerning arrangements for their children. 

There is a common misconception that a trip to the solicitors for some marital advice is the beginning of the end when a couple is going through marital difficulties, with Divorce proceedings following shortly thereafter.

Firstly, not all parents automatically have Parental Responsibility. All mothers have this but for fathers it can be more problematic

Grandparents play an important role in children’s lives. For many of us, we are looking forward to sharing with our wider family the responsibility of caring for the children in our lives

With the increase of online divorce providers, many people are turning away from specialist lawyers when they want a divorce and instead opting to go online to “speed up” the process. But this approach doesn’t always mean a smooth ride.

Continuing with our series of articles on common myths in family law, this article aims to remedy some of the mistruths our clients are being told

The first meeting with a lawyer can be a daunting prospect and one contributing factor to this is the number of myths that exist within family law. Clients are very often given misleading information, so this article aims to dispel a number of these myths

Break-up or separation can be a painful process. P.A.U.S.E. for thought…

With the start of 2020 comes a day which many solicitors call “Divorce Day.” On the 2nd January, many family solicitors see an increase in new enquiries.

For many separating couples, they will have heard of the term of “co-parenting.” The official definition is “to share the duties of the upbringing of a child”. But in reality, what does that mean for separating couples?

The purpose of divorce is to allow a couple in an unhappy marriage to go their separate ways and to afford them the opportunity to remarry at a later date.

Does it make good sense to leave a marriage without a deal?

Going through a relationship breakdown can be an extremely stressful time for children as well as parents. Often the child can be in the middle of this.   Its important for parents to put together plans for the child at an early stage. These tips will help parents in reaching suitable agreements.

It is not uncommon for parents during the school holidays to plan trips abroad. However, for those who have separated from their partner, they may not be aware that in the absence of a Court Order, permission is needed. 

In the modern age of family law, there are no legal provisions to assist an unmarried couple who break up unless they have children. This means there is no right to spousal maintenance, pension entitlement or the division of savings held by the other partner

By far, the most difficult aspect of divorce is disentangling the couple’s financial arrangements and dividing the marital assets going forward. These 5 top tips will assist you in sorting things out amicably and fairly.

Trying to deal with the division of matrimonial assets on separation can be extremely complex and stressful. After the marital home, pensions are usually the next most important consideration

Parental conflict can place children at severe risk of mental health problems and future psychiatric disorders. 

A new year brings a lot of New Years Resolutions. Traditionally gym memberships rise, dieting clubs see a vast increase in their numbers and solicitors see an increased number of family enquiries.