by JennyDomestic Abuse and exercising your rights
It’s the sad reality of life that domestic abuse takes place in homes across the world every day. According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 2.4 million adults in England and Wales (5.7% of the population) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2019.What constitutes domestic abuse?Charity Women’s Aid define domestic abuse as, “an incident or pattern of...
by JennyCould mediation be the best method when it comes to divorce and child matters?
There’s no hiding from the fact that getting a divorce can be tough – both emotionally and financially. Attempting to reach an agreement with your spouse about everything from how you’ll split your assets to who the children will live with and how often they will see the other parent can be difficult.If you’re struggling to agree on child arrangements, could mediation be the...
by JennyPrenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement – are they a good idea?
For many couples, the idea of entering into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can feel far from romantic. When you’re putting the finishing touches to your wedding plans or living in wedded bliss, the possibility of divorce is, understandably, not something you want to think about.Are prenuptial agreements something we should all be talking more about? Or do they ruin the romance? We...
by JennyWhat is a cohabitation agreement? Should I be considering one with my partner?
With the number of cohabiting-couple families continuing to grow faster than married couple and lone-parent families (an increase of over 25% over the last decade according to the ONS), it seems that living with a partner either before, or instead of, marriage, is becoming more and more popular.What is cohabitation?When a couple live together but are not married, this is known as...
by JennyDivorced, separated? Don’t leave arrangements for the children over Christmas to the last minute
The run-up to Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of year for divorced or separated parents. With the festivities only just under a month away, working out the logistics of where the children are going to spend the holidays can be tough, even for parents who are on the best of terms. Our advice is that you start thinking about arrangements now, if you haven’t already done so....
by JennyGRAYFORDS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Grayfords’ Practice Manager ‘Highly Commended’ at Excellence Awards CeremonyLast week, the most prestigious annual legal awards ceremony in the country returned to the glittering ballroom of Grosvenor House, Mayfair. The Excellence Awards, beginning in 2006 and hosted by the Law Society, commends and celebrates the hard work and achievements of the best legal teams across England and...
by JennyCivil Partnerships for All?
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 extended to same sex couples the rights, responsibilities and protections that were available through marriage. At the time same sex couples were prevented from entering into marriage.The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 subsequently enabled same sex couples to enter into marriage. It also enabled civil partners to convert their partnership...
by JennyIs “No Fault Divorce” now a reality?
Many people will recall the Supreme Court Judgment of Owens -v- Owens delivered in July 2018. That Judgment concerned Tini Owens, who had been married to her husband for 35 years and who had appealed against both an initial Judgment in the High Court and a Court of Appeal Judgment denying her a Certificate of Entitlement to a Decree of Divorce. This article focuses on the proposed new...
by JennyThinking of divorce or separation: here’s why you need to let HMRC know
The taxman is probably the last person on your list of people to inform that your marriage has come to an end – if indeed he made it on the list at all. However, when you get a divorce, you’ll need to inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), otherwise you could end up paying too much (or too little) tax.This is what this article focuses on.
by Jenny