Family law, relationships, separation & divorce: thoughts & comment
How prenuptial agreements are viewed varies across the globe. In many countries, they are a common step taken ahead of marriage, in others they are almost unheard of. Some EU countries enable a couple to elect a specific “matrimonial property” regime, which governs how their assets will be divided on divorce. For international couples who... Continue Reading →
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 →
Making pensions on divorce less of a scary subject
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 →
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 →
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 →
Marriage certificates in England and Wales are no longer fit for purpose, according to campaigners who are seeking a change in the law to overhaul documents that have not been updated since the Victorian era. The marriage certificate in its current form provides space for the names of the fathers of the bride and groom... Continue Reading →
The importance of legal advice and wealth protection following a lottery win or large windfall. The Independent recently featured an article about Britain's youngest Euromillions winner and the detrimental impact that winning the lottery had on her life. Jane Park was 17 when she won £1m on Euromillions. She is now 21 and is planning... Continue Reading →
3 January 2017. The first working day of the new year. Supposedly, one of the “highlights” of every family lawyer’s calendar, when we allegedly see a year-on-year unprecedented increase in new enquiries about divorce and separation. Every year, we will read in the press of one or two law firms anticipating a huge rise in... Continue Reading →
When I was at school, leap years seemed really exciting. One of the girls in my class was born on 29 February, and so we all found it hilarious that she was still only 2 years old, rather than 8 like the rest of us. Fast forward a couple of decades, or 8 leap years... Continue Reading →
Picking up the pieces 