Getting around to doing some “life admin” easily falls to the bottom of any to do list when competing with the demands work and family life, but taking some time out to make sure that you are protecting yourself, whatever your relationship status, can reap benefits should things not pan out as expected. Wills Making... Continue Reading →
Financial advisors: Top family law tips to help your clients
Chances are your client or a family member are going through a major life event when you are next in touch, be it a new child in the family, a wedding on the horizon, a separation, starting or selling a business, or, most probably, planning for the twilight years of their life. It’s not always easy... Continue Reading →
Separation: Top tips for surviving the immediate aftermath
According to the media, we are in the middle of divorce season. The truth is there isn’t one set time of year when people split up. Yes, some times of year are busier than others, but any solicitor worth their salt will tell you that “divorce day” is a myth. Having said that, if you... Continue Reading →
Christmas, children and co-parenting – top tips for surviving the festive season
The run-up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of year in a family lawyer’s calendar. Christmas often becomes a focal point for clients wanting to have their divorce and financial settlement done and dusted or a house purchase completed. One of the most contentious issues can be arrangements for children over the festive... Continue Reading →
Don’t worry, baby
Parenting apart from birth – how to make it work Becoming a new parent is an emotional, physical and practical rollercoaster, an all-consuming challenge like no other you have experienced before. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I have recently learnt how vital support of family and friends is at... Continue Reading →
Holiday travel with children: beware the unknown international traps
As the current sunny spell is coming to an end, with storms and rain forecast, our thoughts naturally turn to summer holidays – when and where we are next going to get our fix of vitamin D. Increasingly, we are seeking out more interesting destinations, guaranteed sunshine and a trip that offers an unforgettable experience,... Continue Reading →
Legal well-being for women in business
Recently, I spoke at a seminar for female business professionals in Bristol about personal legal well-being. I am sharing my presentation in the hope that some of the tips and pointers may be of use to my business contacts and their clients, friends, family and professional contacts. Most of us only think of needing legal... Continue Reading →
Court’s approach to the sale of the family home on divorce
The power of the court (or otherwise) to order that a property be sold on divorce during the course of proceedings has often been the subject of debate. The default approach has tended to be to wait until a final hearing, where it is clear that the court has power to make this order. In... Continue Reading →
Child maintenance – change afoot?
A consultation has been launched by the Department for Work & Pensions for views on how the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) works to ensure that the correct payments are being made by parents. The law provides that the parent that doesn’t live with a child (all or the majority of the time) must pay child... Continue Reading →
Not so happy new year? Tips for facing a separation in 2018
Ending a long term relationship or marriage is one of the most stressful things that you will go through in life. Holidays, time at home, family and Christmas pressure can cause the cracks in a relationship to show, or one or both of you may decide that a new year is the time to move... Continue Reading →