Family Law encompasses an expansive field of legal matters that impact families and domestic relationships, from divorce to custody arrangements that prioritize children’s wellbeing.
Family solicitors help individuals navigate these delicate matters with expert guidance and ensure their rights are safeguarded throughout.
Divorce
Marriage or civil partnership breakdown can have lasting repercussions for all involved, especially when children are involved. A family solicitor can provide invaluable assistance and representation as you navigate this complicated process and protect your rights.
Divorce or dissolution proceedings can take up to six months depending on whether or not both partners make applications jointly or solely. Divorce in England and Wales is governed by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and must include at least one of these grounds: adultery, behavior that would make living with your partner unreasonable, desertion for two years without consent, or separation lasting five years without agreement from either partner.
Cohabitation agreements are also subject to family law and can provide an effective alternative to divorce proceedings. It’s important to remember, though, that cohabiting couples don’t enjoy all of the same legal rights and responsibilities as married or civil partners do.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation is an increasingly popular way for couples to live together without getting married or entering into a civil partnership, and is the fastest growing family type in England. Unfortunately, however, its legal implications remain murky; therefore it’s essential that you learn your rights before making this decision.
Property disputes are among the most contentious aspects of marital separation. When couples separate, it can be hard to decide who gets what when assets and homes need to be divided up among themselves – an agreement can make this easier while helping prevent future disagreements over ownership issues.
Family solicitors can assist in creating a cohabitation agreement. They can assist with calculating asset values and taking into account any children. In addition, they will advise how much each of you earns so as to create an equitable agreement. It is crucial that this conversation takes place prior to moving in together; The National Legal Service offers specialist family solicitors for this process.
Child custody
Custody arrangements can be complex and taking many factors into consideration is often necessary when determining custody rights. A family law attorney can offer guidance and support throughout this process as well as mediate negotiations or arrange minute of agreements or court hearings, should any be required.
Although there are different forms of child custody arrangements, courts usually favor having both parents involved in their children’s lives. When making their decision they will consider several factors such as safety and wellbeing to find an arrangement best suited to each child.
Note that, under English law, the term “custody” has been replaced by “child arrangements.” When making decisions related to child custody arrangements in England and Wales, courts consider what is in the best interests of the child based on factors like relationship between parent and child as well as history of abuse or neglect as well as any role grandparents or other influential adults may have played in shaping his/her upbringing.
Adoption
Adoption is the process by which children become part of a new family and is overseen by courts. Family law solicitors can guide you through the legal steps involved and help you understand all of your options when adopting.
Courts tend to be cautious of couples that attempt to adopt together and will require evidence that they can provide a stable environment for the child being adopted. Background checks will also need to be completed as well as asking about your relationship status such as marriage or civil partnership.
At present, most experts agree that children should be informed they have been adopted when they reach an age where they can understand the reasons for it. However, this decision must always take into account each child’s best interests – for instance in one case W gave her baby K to childless foster-parents CC who were relatively old with different ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds to those shared by W and CC CC were relatively old with different cultural, linguistic and religious background from W herself.