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Divorce and Family team
Our divorce and separation team understands that the breakdown of a relationship, particularly if children are involved, can be a difficult and stressful time for all those involved. We listen to the needs of our clients and treat each client as an individual. This ensures we are able to tailor our advice and help guide you through the legal process. We can assist you to make important decisions at a time when you may feel unable to do so.
Every January, the Family Mediation Council runs an annual campaign known as “Family Mediation Week” to raise awareness of family mediation and the benefits it can bring to families facing separation. Family Mediation Week takes place this...
As family lawyers return to work in January after the Christmas break, it is not uncommon for us to be questioned about ‘Divorce Day’ and to comment on the number of divorce enquiries received on the first working day of the new year. ...
The Birkett Long Divorce and Family Team are supporting Resolution Awareness Week 2023, which runs from 27 November to 1 December 2023. What is this week about? This annual campaign was initiated by Resolution...
According to the latest family court statistics published in March 2023, private law cases with legal representation took, on average, longer to be concluded. The statistics show that in general, between October and December 2022, private law cases where...
Many families going through a divorce or separation prefer to sort out their marital assets and care for their children in an amicable and civilised way. This approach has obvious benefits, not least in avoiding litigation. The ideal is to work together...
A pre-nuptial agreement, or ‘pre-nup’ as it is more commonly known, is a written agreement signed by a couple in contemplation of their marriage. The purpose of the agreement is to set out, in advance, how the couple intend their financial and...
Roses are red Violets are blue Will you marry me, provided we have a prenup too? February is the month of love and often considered one of the most romantic months of the year as couples...
How long does it take on average to settle family disputes? Over half of lawyers say it takes an average of 1 to 2 years after making an initial court application according to statistics issued by Resolution as part of their 2022 Good Divorce Week...
As recently reported by the Law Society , the latest statistics published by HM Courts & Tribunals Service show that the Family Court continues to experience extensive delays and backlogs. This is having serious and prejudicial consequences for families...
On 6 April 2022 divorce law changed in England and Wales, making it possible for married couples to obtain a divorce without the need to apportion blame based on adultery or unreasonable behaviour, or to rely on a period of separation or...
From 6th April 2022, it will be possible to obtain a no fault divorce, marking one of the most significant changes in divorce law this country has seen in the last 50 years. The change in the law has been long-awaited and will end the blame game for...
The question of child maintenance, including how much should be paid and what factors are considered in the calculation, is common for separating families and often addressed in an initial discussion with a family law solicitor following a relationship...
With every new year comes new opportunities and the chance to make a fresh start. This can involve setting a series of new year’s resolutions or planning new adventures for the year ahead and beyond. For many this may include exercising more, losing...
On 31 January 2020, the UK exited the European Union (the EU). A post-Brexit transition period then followed until 31 December 2020 during which time, the UK was generally treated (with some exceptions) as if it were still a member of the EU and most...
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO) has recently published a research paper outlining children’s experience in contested private law court disputes. These are court proceedings between separated parents regarding the child arrangements,...
If you are involved in divorce proceedings and have reached a settlement with your spouse regarding the financial matters arising from the breakdown of your marriage, what should you do and what information must you provide to the court? Many divorcing...
If your marriage has broken down and you reach an amicable agreement with your ex-spouse in relation to the financial matters arising from your separation, it is important you ensure the agreement is properly recorded. This will help to avoid any...
The Family Court has a broad discretion when dealing with the financial matters arising from divorce. They must consider all the circumstances of the case, the first consideration being given to the welfare of a child of the family who has not reached the...
Often, parents involved in a separation or divorce find it difficult to communicate effectively when their relationship breaks down. There are many reasons for this, including the cause of the breakdown of the relationship, the way the separation happens,...
What happens to my jewellery during a divorce? The question of how a divorcing couple should deal with jewellery is one divorce and separation lawyers are often asked. This is especially when it comes to the engagement and wedding rings,...
The number of couples choosing to cohabit is growing faster than the number of marriages. Over the coming weeks, many couples may wish to take advantage of the recent extension to the stamp duty holiday by pooling their financial resources to ...
Administrative changes, designed to streamline the court process, have recently come into effect concerning where to send Contested Financial Remedy applications on divorce. These applications are made in divorce proceedings where the parties are...
This week marks “Good Divorce Week 2020” – an initiative run by Resolution. Resolution is the family law organisation whose members are committed to resolving divorce and family law issues in a constructive, non-confrontational way. ...
In most divorce cases, the property last shared by a married couple as their home will be one of the key capital assets to be taken into consideration when sorting out the financial matters arising from the relationship breakdown. In some cases, it is the...
Cohabiting couples are, all too often, unaware of the law as it applies to their relationship. Couples living together in unmarried relationships, contrary to popular belief, do not share the same legal rights and financial claims as their married...
The number of cohabiting couple families has risen significantly in the last decade and, yet, there remains a myth that common law marriage exists and that cohabiting couples automatically have legal rights and protection if their relationship ends or their...
