January 23, 2017 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
This week is Family Mediation Week, and we’re spreading the word about this simple, stress-reduced process. If you’re coming to the end of your marriage by mutual consent, there’s no need for the process to be lengthy, inconvenient or expensive. Mediation is the fastest-growing solution to separation and divorce and by far the least stressful. It's a process whereby the two sides sit down with a trained and experienced mediator and work things out simply and amicably. Comfortably, too, because you can arrange everything at a time and place that suits you. Best of all, Mediated divorce costs on average a quarter of the conventional court ...
September 13, 2015 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Moving in with your partner is one of those milestones that can make or break a relationship. There are so many positives to cohabitation (spending more time together, halving your bills, having someone to cook you dinner once in a while!) but there are also a few hurdles to clear first, such as the stresses of moving, learning to live with each other’s little habits, and arguing over DIY…
On a more serious note, it’s important to take your financial situation into consideration as a cohabiting couple – there’s no such thing as ‘common law marriage’, and your assets won’t necessarily be ...
July 21, 2015 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
It’s important to update your will any time your personal circumstances change – whether you’re having a baby, moving house, or separating from your partner. One situation that is often overlooked is when you enter into a new relationship where one or both of you have children from a previous marriage. In this instance, it’s especially important to amend your will to include any step-kids (presuming you want them to share in your inheritance, of course!) as they will not automatically be covered by intestacy rules unless you have formally adopted them.
Intestacy rules state that spouses, blood relatives and adopted children ...
December 10, 2014 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog Our Maidenhead and Beaconsfield offices will be closing at midday on the 23rd of December for the Christmas holidays, so if you’re in need of advice or services this month please get in touch within plenty of time! We will re-open at 8.30am on the 5th of January. If you’re mid-case, don’t worry – we will make sure that any outstanding action will have been sorted before we close, and nothing will happen over the Christmas period that will require further attention.
We hope you have a great festive period and can look back on 2014 with a sense of achievement, whether you’ve made major life changes, moved house, settled financial affairs, or started a ...
May 28, 2014 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog From a legal point of view, separating as a cohabiting couple is both easier and more difficult than divorcing as a married couple. On the upside, you do not need to change your legal status from married to unmarried by going through the process of divorce, but it’s still important to be aware that cohabiting couples have very few rights in terms of claiming the fair division of partner’s assets.
Unless a co-habitation or living together agreement is drawn up with the intention of making it legally binding, cohabitating couples do not enter into any form of contractual arrangement in relation to their financial affairs in the ...
January 16, 2014 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog January often brings a spike in enquiries for divorce and separation. The festive period can be stressful for couples and families, revealing underlying cracks in a relationship and prompting the decision to make a change. The new year is a time for new starts, and despite the gloomy weather, January can be a productive month for making resolutions. And, as with any resolution you intend to keep – whether you’re trying to give up smoking, cut down on alcohol, get fit, or end a toxic relationship – little steps are more effective than trying to take big leaps. When faced with a separation, attempting to take on everything at once will leave you confused and ...
January 10, 2014 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog A recent report by parenting website Netmums revealed that divorcing parents may not be aware of the impact their separation has on their children. A survey of 1,000 parents and 100 children suggested many families find it hard to communicate their feelings about divorce, leaving children unable to speak up about their feelings. The report displayed a worrying discrepancy between the perspectives of parents and children following a separation.
From the children’s point of view, almost half of respondents felt as if they had to hide their feelings from their parents, while 14% said they weren’t able to be honest about ...
