• Online Divorce

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    Traditionally, applications for divorce have been made on paper and in recent years the process has become fraught with delays, with many people waiting for over a year for their divorce to be finalised. Since May 2018, an online divorce portal has been trialled to streamline the divorce process and according to HM Courts & Tribunals Service, more than 70,000 divorces have been initiated in this way: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/thousands-go-online-to-apply-for-divorce/5102768.article The trial period for the new system is now at an end and we therefore have signed up for access to the online service, which we intend to use to provide our …

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  • “Divorce day” – just a myth?

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    Every year the media appears to write articles about so called ‘Divorce Day’. The media suggests that there is an omen day for divorce, and that this is on the first working Monday after the Christmas break. The reality is that divorce takes place every day – divorce is unique and different for everyone.  That being said, the Christmas and New Year period can be a difficult time for many people. Sometimes during this time off work the cracks in a relationship start to show and pressure builds. It has been argued that there is a correlation between this and …

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  • What happens when somebody dies without a Will?

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    When somebody passes away and they have not left a valid Will, this is known as dying intestate. The deceased’s estate is divided in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy. These rules determine who inherits – this depends on what surviving family the deceased has and also, the size of the estate. Only married or civil partners and some other close relatives can inherit under the Rules of Intestacy. This means that dying without a valid Will could result in important people, such as unmarried partners and step-children, being ignored when the estate is distributed. You can find out who …

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  • Negotiating Separation: Brexit and Divorce

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    Since 2016, Brexit has dominated the news. Everyone is well aware of the results of the referendum for the UK to leave the EU. Many people may have believed this to be a relatively straightforward matter. However, matters are often not as straightforward as they may appear, particularly when there is to be a separation.  As we often hear analysts say: Brexit is a “divorce”. When couples separate there may be various issues that need to be determined. Simply moving out of the family home and going off to live a new life of independence may not be realistic. The …

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  • Letter of wishes

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    Writing a Will can be tricky, but trying to understand a loved one’s Will and the reasons for their decisions after their death can be agonising and distressing. A simple letter of wishes can avoid this emotional confusion. A letter of wishes is not a legally binding document.  It is a personal and private document that is designed to sit alongside your Will (which may become a public document after your death) to provide your Executors and Trustees with a guide to help ensure that your personal wishes are carried out. You can write a letter of wishes at any …

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  • Second time lucky?

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    Last week, John Torode and Lisa Faulkner had a beautiful wedding ceremony and legally married. John said that he has ‘officially married the girl of his dreams’. For both of them, this was not the first time they have been married. Circumstances around a second marriage are almost always more complicated than the first. There are often children from previous relationships to consider – John has 4 children from previous relationships and Lisa adopted a child with her ex-husband. Not only this, but you would have acquired assets such as property, savings, investments, pensions and businesses. So do second marriages …

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  • Divorce: Why Instruct a Solicitor?

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    An increasing number of people going through a divorce use unregulated legal services. What does this mean and why does it matter? Unregulated legal services are legal services offered by a person or organisation which is subject to no formal regulation. Such services may come in many forms and could be online, in person or via the purchase of information packs or forms. The advantage of these services is that they can be cheap but the disadvantages can be significant and many people are unaware of the risks. Unregulated providers have no professional body to maintain standards and the consequence …

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  • Thinking about Christmas…

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    Although it is only just October and Christmas may still feel far away, for separated parents it is worthwhile spending sometime sorting out the holiday arrangements early, if this has not already been done. Christmas is a special and magical time for children and any conflict surrounding the arrangements can dampen the celebrations considerably.  Each December, we are contacted by clients who are having difficulty finalising the arrangements for the Christmas holidays.  Sometimes we are asked to sort things out as late as the week before Christmas, which can be incredibly stressful for parents (as well as the children). Some …

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