Family & Children Matters
Our approachable and supportive family team is here to give you sound, practical advice and to see you through what can be a difficult time. Our family solicitors deal with all areas of family and children law including:-
- Divorce
- Breakdown of a Civil Partnership
- Children matters (the law relating to residence and contact)
- Financial matters following a divorce
- Domestic Violence
- The Child Support Agency
- Any legal obligations to maintain a spouse and children
- Pre-nuptial and Separation Agreements
Cohabitation
Many couples are unaware of the rights following the breakdown of a relationship…
What happens if you move in with a partner and then split up?
Who has the right to keep living in the house?
If one party leaves do they still have to pay the mortgage?
Can one party force the other to sell?
Ideally parties sign a “Cohabitation Agreement” before they move in, agreeing what will happen in the “what if” scenarios, avoiding costly and emotionally damaging disputes later on. We provide advice on what should be covered in the agreement and draft them for clients. If there is no cohabitation agreement we advise clients on their entitlement and actively encourage the parties to reach a settlement. Court proceedings are a last resort, but where there really is no other option that is the route we will take.