Family law, relationships, separation & divorce: thoughts & comment
The case of MN v AN [2023] EWHC 613 (Fam) is the latest reminder of the court’s position that valid prenuptial agreements will be upheld if challenged on divorce. Case background In 2005, the parties entered into a prenuptial agreement. Prior to the marriage, the husband owned assets totalling £32.5 million in contrast to the wife’s assets... Continue Reading →
Why has the law been reformed? Under the previous law those wanting to separate in the UK had to rely on one or more facts to prove that their relationship had irretrievably broken down: unreasonable behaviour, adultery (not available for civil partnership dissolution), desertion for at least 2 years, separation for at least 2 years... Continue Reading →
Once your finances are sorted, your order is in place and Decree Absolute has been made, it can be difficult to know what to do next. After a few months of intense discussions and legal processes, coming to the end of a separation can feel like a huge anti-climax. Points to consider before applying for... Continue Reading →
Mothers’ details will be included on marriage certificates for the first time from May 2021. The Government is set to reform the law around the information to be contained within marriage certificates. A new system of marriage registration will form part of the reforms to the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths Act 2019 which... Continue Reading →
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 →
This week, the Supreme Court has heard the case of a couple who wish for their relationship to have the same legal status as same-sex civil partners. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan do not wish to be married, and want instead to have a civil partnership, which at present is only available to opposite-sex couples.... Continue Reading →
The term 'meal ticket for life' is the controversial expression used by the media to describe open-ended spousal maintenance in divorce cases, which is intended to be paid for the duration of the lives of the payee and recipient. This somewhat distasteful phrase has again been the subject of much interest and public debate, thanks... Continue Reading →
I featured in the Law Society Gazette's "My Legal Life" section this year. Below is the text of the article, which can also be viewed here. Growing up, I wanted to be a writer. I used to spend hours boring family and classmates with my storytelling. This grew into a leaning towards journalism after covering... Continue Reading →
Almost half of all marriages today will end in divorce. Financial freedom, access to education, advances in technology and moves towards gender equality are all factors which have changed our attitudes towards the longevity of marriage. For many, marriage is no longer a commitment for life and so divorce is becoming more of a commodity... Continue Reading →
The first same-sex weddings were celebrated in England and Wales on 29 March this year after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 came into force. Yet whilst many same-sex couples were ecstatic that their relationship would finally be given equal recognition in law, many in civil partnerships were left in limbo. There was no... Continue Reading →
Picking up the pieces 