It’s a popular myth for many people, including a lot of cohabiting couples that there is such a thing as a ‘common law’ marriage which would give couples who live together, especially for those in long term relationships, the same rights as legally married husbands or wives. While many women especially might think that they…
With the story in the media of more than one million British adulterers fearing the hacking of the married person’s infidelity website, Ashley Madison, it’s likely that the UK divorce courts might soon see a sudden surge in petitions from aggrieved spouses. Let’s hope they were as smart as actress Catherine Zeta Jones, who famously…
The statistics are shocking – a third of children are likely to experience the break down of their parents’ relationship before they reach the age of 16. No matter what reasons are behind the split, it is vitally important to make sure that the break up is managed in a way that limits the distress…
While the cost of getting divorced, financially and emotionally, has never been an easy or cheap option, the actual cost of divorcing is likely to rise by approximately one third as the government has announced plans, currently in consultation, to increase court fees from the autumn of this year. In the near future married couples…
Many couples believe that Separation Agreements are only available to married couples but in fact they are also really useful documents for unmarried couples. Bhini Phagura, a Family Law solicitor at Pictons says ”Entering into a separation agreement for co-habiting couples who aren’t married can be valuable. If they separate it helps them to avoid…
The recent hacking of the infamous and so called ‘adulterers website’ Ashley Madison, where members were named and subsequently shamed, may have caused more than one separation or divorce but membership alone would not provide proof of adulterous behaviour in a court of law? While there would undoubtedly have been many heated conversations between partners…
The ex-husbands of Varsha Gohil and Alison Sharland have been shamed by the Supreme Court and exposed as having hidden their considerable assets from their ex-wives in their divorce settlements. The Supreme Court ruled that both ex-wives could pursue their wealthy husbands in the courts to get a fairer financial deal. Amy Chesterfield, a specialist…
Pictons Solicitors, will be holding free ‘separation clinics’ at its Milton Keynes office on Wednesday October 30th. The event, which is open to anyone who is facing separation issues, will be held at Pictons office on Silbury Boulevard between 2pm-7pm, with the offer of a 45 minute free appointment to assist on all aspects of…
Victims of domestic violence often don’t even know what day it is, let alone the fact that in October there is a national campaign to raise awareness of this terrifying issue. Domestic violence affects many people who feel unable to speak out or take any action to protect themselves against violent partners or family members….