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Pension Sharing Orders – What are they and how do they work?

When a couple decide to divorce or dissolve their civil partnership, a ‘pension sharing order’ may feature in the financial settlement. Pension sharing orders are legally binding court orders that state that one spouse must transfer a share of their pension to the other spouse. The purpose of a pension sharing order may be to […]

Dragging Divorce into the 21st Century

There are a number of changes in Divorce Law in England & Wales which are slowly but surely dragging the process into the 21st Century. As of 13th September 2021, it is now compulsory for legal representatives to submit all new divorce applications online using the court’s bespoke online system. The online system was first […]

Engagement Rings, Gifts and Relationship Breakdown

Disputes over personal belongings and items of sentimental value during a divorce can be stressful and lead to increased legal costs. A Judge is normally reluctant to get involved in dividing such items and often compromise between spouses is the best way to resolve these matters. However, a Judge does have the power to make […]

Can I reduce my Spousal Maintenance Payments?

Spousal maintenance payments (or periodical payments), are monthly payments from one spouse to a former spouse which can continue for a set term or for ‘joint lives’. A ‘joint lives’ Order requires the paying spouse to make payments until either he/she or their former spouse passes away. Spousal maintenance payments can continue for many […]

Three Insurance Policies every Divorce Lawyer should know about

Whilst we may be able to advise our clients going through divorce about the types of Financial Orders the Court can make, many of us often overlook other important financial issues that should be considered. Insurance policies can be overlooked as part of an overall financial settlement following divorce. They are designed to protect […]

New Divorce Law in England & Wales

Government Ministers have confirmed that the new divorce laws in England and Wales will come into force on 6th April 2022. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will fundamentally reform the current divorce laws which are widely considered to be out of date and can encourage a ‘blame game’ between divorcing couples. […]

‘Pet-Nups’ – written agreements regarding ownership of pets

We are a nation of pet lovers and during the Covid-19 pandemic demand for pets (in particular puppies) has increased significantly. The price of puppies has dramatically increased with popular breeds commanding prices of several thousand pounds. In addition to the financial investment in our pets we of course become emotionally attached to them. […]

New Domestic Abuse Act

On the 29th April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Bill was approved by both Houses of Parliament and became law. The new Domestic Abuse Act brings in much needed change to strengthen the protection afforded to survivors of domestic abuse. The Act should ensure that the Family Court is more accessible to survivors of abuse, […]

Controlling and coercive behaviour in Children Act proceedings

Re: H-N & Others (Children) Domestic Abuse: Finding of Fact Hearings – Key Quotes for Practitioners The Court of Appeal recently heard four appeals about domestic abuse. The Judgment deals with coercive and/or controlling behaviour. It sets out a helpful summary about “Finding of Fact Hearings” and the application of Practice Direction 12(J). The […]

Claiming Costs in Financial Remedy Proceedings

If you find yourself litigating about the financial settlement following your divorce the general rule within those proceedings (known as Financial Remedy Proceedings) is that the Court will not make an Order requiring one party to pay the legal costs of the other party. The Court’s unwillingness to make a Costs Order within Financial Remedy […]