My mum has told me on more than one occasion that it is “so much better to be a grandparent than a parent!” Thanks, mum…I think?  I am not sure that I come out of that statement particularly well, but I have incredibly fond...

For many families going through a divorce, one of the most important matters that will need to be resolved is what the arrangements for their children will be. This includes organising: a. where the children will live following divorce; b. how much...

The start of a new year is often a period of reflection and an opportunity to make a fresh start. That might be something as simple as setting a new year’s resolution -  for example to learn a new skill or to spend less - or it may involve very...

According to data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of people getting married and divorced aged 65 and over is on the up. For those ending their marriage, this demographic trend is often referred to as “grey...

In most heterosexual relationships, children still take their father’s surname at birth. That surname cannot be legally changed without the consent of both parents or a court order.  In unmarried families this can result in the child having a...

In a recent study, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) found that an increase in what are known as ‘blended families’ is leading to increased complexity in estate planning. Blended families are where there are children from...

The excitement and thrill of planning a new baby can - for some couples - turn to heartache as they experience difficulties in conceiving. If you are considering fertility treatment, donor conception or surrogacy, there are certain important legal aspects of...

A Special Guardianship Order is an order made by the court appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s ‘special guardian’.  It is effectively an enhanced Child Arrangements Order as the child will be deemed to live with you...

We are a nation of pet lovers and so, it is only natural for us to be concerned about custody of our fur-babies following separation. The Law in England & Wales treats pets as personal assets (legally known as “chattels”). Personal assets...

Family businesses can take decades, or even generations, to build successfully. But what happens when the owner(s) gets involved in a divorce? Philip Hoddell discusses the pitfalls and offers some advice on how to protect business assets. The existence...

I had never really considered myself a dog person having been brought up with a series of cats during my childhood and continuing my feline ownership into adulthood. However, just over 6 years ago, I discovered just how fabulous dogs were when we got our...

Unlike many jurisdictions across the globe, prenuptial agreements are still not legally binding in the UK. This is despite decades of campaigning for prenuptial agreements to gain legal recognition.  There has however been a growing recognition in...

Is it true that after 7 years of living together you become ‘common law husband and wife? It’s not true. This is a myth (and so is the suggestion that it happens after 6 months, 2 years, or at all). We are often asked this question by...

In a world where a pandemic has turned everything on its head, you would be forgiven for thinking that Brexit was done and dusted; no longer front-page news, it barely seems to be mentioned. However, it is far from over and we have yet to see the real...

Many of us are very familiar with the concept of the Bank of Mum and Dad. Both those giving and those of us receiving. Why has there been such a rise in such lending, and does it pose any difficulties for both sides? Several UK-based financial institutions...

Santa may be bringing your child their favourite toys this Christmas, but what would the law be bringing them if you passed away without making a will?  If you are, what has been dubbed in modern times as, a “blended family”, you may well...