October 07, 2017 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Divorce solicitors report growing numbers of clients requesting 'post-nuptial agreements' within the past three years. Just like you might update your will, a 'post-nup' is a chance to amend an existing pre-nup or create an official agreement if you didn't make one before you got married. And while a pre- or post-nup is not currently legally binding, the UK family courts do take these agreements into account during separation proceedings, so long as they are reasonable in nature, signed by both parties, and have been drawn up by a licensed legal practitioner.
But why would a couple decide to create a 'post-nup' in the first place?
Anecdotal research by divorce solicitors suggest that ...
March 12, 2014 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
A recent study on relationship support interventions has highlighted the benefits of couple counselling services with regard to reducing divorce rates and improving the quality of relationships. Over 800 couples and individuals attending counselling, relationship education sessions, and marriage preparation classes reported that these supportive services helped to improve their general well-being, communication as a couple, and the quality of their relationship. The evaluation, led by the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations and funded by the Department of Education, recorded a ‘marked improvement’ on all three measures after couples counselling. Furthermore, the positive outcome prompted many couples to consider using relationship support services in the future, despite initially having low expectations of their success.
December 09, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
The Norwegian government seems to think so. The Populist party is promoting date nights for couples in crisis in the hope of cutting divorce rates and encouraging “small pockets of time where parents can be lovers”. Solveig Horne, Norway’s minister for children, equality and social inclusion, has stated her intention to lower the national divorce rate by advocating that couples regularly take time out together in order to keep their marriage alive.
Norway’s divorce rate currently stands at 40%, with those aged between 40 and 44 most likely to seek a divorce. Having experienced divorce herself, the minister is adamant that setting aside time to be with and talk to your partner can have a huge positive benefit for couples. In ...
October 03, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
It seems almost every other news story opens with a version of "in these difficult financial times..." but unfortunately for most people times really are still hard. As a result of the recession, increasing numbers of couples are turning to DIY divorce websites rather than consulting with a local divorce solicitor in an attempt to make separation easier and cheaper, but these ‘quickie’ divorces are often not the quick fix people are hoping for.
DIY divorce services are only really suitable for extremely straightforward, uncontested actions – as soon as you include any additional complications such as the division of property or assets, or ...
September 24, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
A study of divorce patterns over the past 50 years conducted by the Marriage Foundation suggests that the state of marriage in the UK isn’t quite as dire as recent reports would have us believe. Or, at least, the strength of a marriage depends on whether or not a couple make it through the first ten years. After a decade together, modern married couples are just as likely to stay together for life as their grandparents’ generation.
Divorce is most common between five and nine years of marriage, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), but beyond that period, divorce rates are almost exactly the same as they have ...
September 16, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Family arbitration is a method of reaching an agreement on financial and property issues following a relationship breakdown. Arbitration can be a cost-effective and faster alternative to court, especially if your case is fairly straightforward. This method of dispute resolution can also be more flexible and confidential than court proceedings.
Arbitration was previously used predominantly for legal cases relating to the building and commerce industries, but more recently it has become more popular in family law. Arbitration is just one of many processes used to resolve disputes between divorcing parties. It is often used when a couple have reached an impasse or stalemate in ...
September 05, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
When we get married, we hope it’s forever – most times we believe it. Unfortunately that’s not always the case and a marriage breakdown can be as devastating as bereavement. When a relationship comes to an end it can be the most stressful experience of a person’s life, but with the right guidance, knowledge and legal support, it is absolutely something that you can get through, and hopefully emerge the other side in a much better place.
At Frances Lindsay & Co in Maidenhead, our divorce solicitors are sensitive to the stresses divorce brings – we’ve been through it ourselves and have first-hand experience of the ...
September 03, 2013 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Recently there has been a surge in enquiries from divorced parents seeking legal advice on whether their ex-spouse can pay maintenance towards higher education fees for children. Tuition fees rose to £9,000 last year and increasing numbers of divorced mothers in particular are seeking extra payments towards financing their children’s university education. And, of course, just because your child is away at university it doesn’t mean that they don’t occasionally come home with a mountain of washing and clear out your fridge! Financial, emotional and practical responsibility for our children doesn’t magically end at the age of 18, which is why it is a sensible idea to plan ahead to ensure that any