The Ministry of Justice has announced changes to Court fees scheduled for May this year.  172 Court fees are going to increase, but how will this affect the fee for the application for divorce?

The end of a marriage is a difficult time for all, even moreso when you own a home. Understandably, one of the main questions faced by Family lawyers is ‘Can I stay in my home once we have divorced?’ This is particularly the case if you have young children living with you.

In 2022, we saw an overhaul of the divorce process, which saw the end of “fault-based” divorces, so that neither party could blame the other for the end of the marriage. It was hoped the new terms would remove outdated phrases and simplify the different stages and the process.

Separating from your partner can be a difficult time, filled with emotional and logistical challenges, especially when children are involved. Navigating the complexities of child arrangements can be daunting, making it difficult to find common ground.

The breakdown of a relationship is invariably a challenging time for all involved, particularly when there are children involved. This is where a well-considered Parenting Plan comes into play, providing a structured approach to addressing any issues that may arise and facilitating a collaborative co-parenting environment.

It is a common misconception that when you divorce, the financial links you have with your spouse come to an end. Until you have a Financial Order, either by consent or at the end of Court proceedings, you remain financially linked to your former spouse. You do not have to have a lawyer to assist you but not using one could mean that you end up with unresolved financial claims or a Financial Order that does not do what you thought.

The short answer is no, you do not. It has never been a legal requirement to instruct a solicitor to be divorced and many people do complete the process without a lawyer.

Are you dreading making arrangements for Christmas contact with your former partner? As the festive spirit approaches, Gemma Stevens shares how making plans early can help reduce the risk of conflict ruining the holiday periods.

Domestic abuse can take many forms and it is not always physical. Various different forms of abuse can be in the form of emotional, psychological, financial or sexual abuse. There are different charitable organisations who are able to support victims of domestic abuse, one organisation being Refuge, who offer a free 24/7 helpline to those who need support.

Following a committed relationship, the next stage for a couple is usually to move in with one another. Whilst they have not yet tied the knot, it is important to ensure that their assets and future are protected should the worst happen, and the relationship ends. This is where cohabitation agreements come into play.

Whilst it may not be possible to have a ‘good’ divorce, it is certainly possible to have a bad one. Fortunately, there are steps that both parties can take to make the divorce and separation process as painless and as amicable as possible.

If you or your spouse own a business whether in a sole name or in joint names, it is likely to form a key part of financial proceedings should the two of you separate.

For the first time ever, journalists will now be allowed to attend and report on cases in the Family Courts in a new pilot scheme covering specific cases in Leeds, Carlisle and Cardiff. The pilot scheme started on 30 January 2023 and only accredited journalists and legal bloggers will be allowed to attend and report on family cases.

On 6th April 2022, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into effect. This is more commonly known as no fault divorce.