Family law, relationships, separation & divorce: thoughts & comment
When parents separate, new arrangements have to be made about the care and welfare of the children. Ideally, parents should reach an agreement and discuss matters with the children in a neutral, reassuring and age-appropriate way. The majority of parents are able to agree between themselves what should happen, but some do not. It can... Continue Reading →
As fans of the long-running rural soap “The Archers” will know, Helen Archer’s partner, Lee, has two pre-teen girls. His ex-wife (mother of his daughters), has been offered a job in the USA and has moved permanently with them. Despite this initially upsetting Lee, he decided to agree to the move and hopes the girls... Continue Reading →
When a couple with dependent children divorce or separate they will be very aware of the impact this will have on their children, and this will normally be a major consideration in the decision about whether and when to separate. However, often less thought is given to the impact that a separation can have upon... Continue Reading →
Top tips for being the best support you can when your adult child goes through a divorce or separation
Over the last couple of weeks, I have many clients getting in touch with concerns regarding the arrangements for their children in the current climate. The fight against Covid-19 has seen the Government bring in unprecedented measures which are having serious implications on our ability to live our normal lives and are disrupting family arrangements... Continue Reading →
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 →
A Bristol judge has decided to publish his decision in an exceptional case of parental alienation. The Designated Family Judge for the Western Circuit, HHJ Wildblood QC, wanted the public to be aware how badly wrong things can go for a family when one parent chooses to alienate the children from the other parent. What... Continue Reading →
Last week saw the High Court decide that a transgender man who gave birth with the help of fertility treatment cannot be legally registered as the father (or parent) of his child. The case has also provided the first legal definition of a mother. This case highlighted just one of the difficulties faced by... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
Picking up the pieces 