The term ‘custody’ is a very outdated legal term and is no longer used to describe the care arrangements for a child.

Debts are often a fabric of everyday life; they enable individuals and couples to purchase a property or a car and can form part of day to day spending. When it comes to addressing the finances on divorce both parties’ debts, whether jointly or solely incurred, are taken into consideration.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can be put into place by a donor (the person appointing the LPA) at any stage of their life and it allows the LPA to make decisions about both the donors property and financial affairs should they lose the mental capacity to make those decisions themselves.

With the advent of ‘no-fault divorce’ in 2022, many couples are now able to focus on the practicalities and financial arrangements post-separation, rather than get tied up in lengthy arguments about whose fault the relationship breakdown ultimately was. This has led to a rise in the number couples approaching solicitors when they have either reached an agreement, or are very close to doing so.

Grandparents are often an integral part to the day to day running of a family, whether that be providing help/childcare or assisting in everyday activities.

Occasionally, issues can arise where one party refuses to comply with the terms of a Financial Order. If this happens you will need to consider the various enforcement options available to you.

Testing is usually required when there is a concern about a party in court proceedings taking illicit substances or consuming alcohol, which in turn could be having an effect on their abilities as a parent and the care they are able to provide for a child.

Dogs are treated in the same way as personal items and are considered ‘chattels’ in England and Wales, meaning they will be considered an item of personal property and consequently can form part of the overall financial settlement upon separation and divorce.

“Full and frank disclosure” is a phrase you might hear during your divorce. It may feel like a hoop you and your spouse have to jump through to get to the other side, but it is vitally important and, in fact, a legal requirement.

Unmarried couples are not afforded the same protection in law as married couples who are getting divorced, however there are steps cohabiting couples can take to protect their interests.

People are living longer and as a result in the number of older couples divorcing is increasing.

Improved quality of life and life expectancy has increased the number of couples divorcing in later life, particularly over age 65, often referred to as “silver separators”.