Martin Lewis, the money saving expert has recently reiterated the importance of making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and we thought it would be helpful to recap how a Power of Attorney works and why it is important. It is important to distinguish between making a Will which deals with your money and assets…
Planning Together for Children is a resource for parents and carers involved in private law family court proceedings to help them focus on putting children first when making arrangements to share parenting responsibilities. Planning Together for Children replaced the Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP) on 3rd April 2023. It is a new course and set…
Pension sharing orders divide rights under a pension scheme so that each spouse has their own independent rights under that scheme or under two separate schemes. The pension has to be capable of sharing and the rights themselves must be of a shareable kind. The vast majority of pensions are shareable. The only significant exceptions…
On 6th April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2022 came into force changing the process of divorce as we had known it for the previous 50 years. We are now some 15 months after the introduction of the new law and in the main, the new procedure has been an improvement. It is…
It is one of those matters people often put off dealing with, but it is sensible to make a Will so that the people you wish to benefit from the assets you have at the time of your death, actually do. The Rules of Intestacy determine the distribution of a person’s estate where they die…
We thought it might be of interest to shed some light on some common myths regarding Family Law:- Is there such a thing as a Common Law Husband/Wife? No, there is no such thing as a common law husband or wife. Unless you are married the law does not protect you if you simply live…
LEGAL AGE OF MARRIAGE IN ENGLAND AND WALES RISES TO 18 Vulnerable children across England and Wales will be better protected from the damaging impact of forced marriage as the legal age of marriage rises to 18 in England and Wales. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 came into force on 27th…
Special Guardianship Orders (SGO) There are some occasions when it is necessary for a person, other than a parent, to obtain parental responsibility for a child in their care. In these circumstances, anyone over 18 may apply to the Court for a Special Guardianship Order for a child they are looking after. Such an order…