Making Arrangements for the Children at Christmas

Christmas is coming, we can help take the stress out of last minute arrangements for the children.

Matrimonial Home Rights – What are they?

For most people, the home that they share with their spouse, and possibly their children, will be their single most valuable asset. It is extremely common, for panic to set in when a marriage breaks down if the property is held solely in the name of your spouse. We appreciate that this can leave some parties feeling extremely vulnerable and frightened of what their rights are. Please rest assured, at the very least, you will have matrimonial home rights in the property, which mean that you are allowed to occupy the property without being disturbed. You may also be entitled to a share in the equity even though your name is not registered at the Land Registry.

Mediation: a better way to separate

Wondering where to start with sorting out matters after your separation? Mediation offers a safe and private forum for separating couples to discuss how to manage arrangements for their children and finances.

Moving on from domestic violence

Official crime figures reveal that 30% of women are affected by domestic violence at some point in their life. In the past year, 7% of women and 4% of men have been victims of domestic violence.
Domestic abuse happens when one person hurts another in the same family, married or unmarried, with or without children, divorced or separated.

Moving on from Domestic Violence

Official crime figures reveal that domestic abuse accounts for 16% of all violent crime.  25% of women and 16% of men are affected by domestic violence at some point in their life. Domestic abuse happens when one person hurts another in the same family, married or unmarried, with or without children, divorced or separated.

There are four main types of domestic violence – physical, sexual, emotional and financial. The abuse is delivered as a repeated pattern of behaviour which may get worse over a prolonged period of time. Being a victim, or witnessing any type of abuse can have long-term emotional and psychological effects, so it is important to seek support and advice if you feel you are at risk, or are a victim of domestic abuse .

My ex has moved in with a new partner, do I still need to pay maintenance?

Maintenance can be for the benefit of your children or for the benefit of your ex-spouse. Maintenance is also known as periodical payments.

My Ex-partner and I disagree on our child getting the Covid-19 Vaccine. What do I do?

Following the Governments recent announcement that 16 and 17 year olds will be offered the Covid vaccine, there may be some situations where separated parents disagree as to whether their child should receive this. 

Parental Responsibility for Fathers and Re-registration of a Child’s Birth

What is Parental Responsibility?

S3(1) Children Act 1989 defines Parental Responsibility as:

“All the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property”.

Parental Responsibility When Separated From Your Partner

What can a separated parent do if they’re worried about their child coming to harm?

This article is designed to explain the options available to separated parents when they are concerned their children are at risk. Firstly, we will explore Parental Responsibility, and what this means for you. Secondly, we will look at the different ways you can raise your concerns with your separated partner. Thirdly, and finally, we will look at the different type of Court applications you can bring. If you are genuinely concerned that your child is at risk of harm by way of domestic violence or neglect, then you may decide that communication is not an option and involvement of the Local Authority is necessary.

Pension sharing in divorce proceedings

Client’s often hit a stumbling block when it comes to thinking about pensions as part of the negotiations in how to separate and divide matrimonial assets and then turn to us at Watson Thomas for advice.  We have offices in Fleet, Hampshire and Guildford, Surrey.

Pensions on divorce – do I need a report?

Pensions are a common issue that can come up when trying to resolve matrimonial finances on divorce. Often people want to split their pensions equally or they want to offset one spouse’s claim on the other’s pension by giving them a higher share of a different matrimonial asset such as savings or equity in a property.

Separating from your spouse – What are your options?

Separating from your spouse is not an easy decision to make, but if you are in a relationship which no longer makes you happy, and you have tried to resolve issues between each other without success, then a period of separation can give you both some valuable time and space to decide if you can, and want, to make your partnership work, or if a permanent separation is best solution for you, your spouse and your children.

The legal system and the options available if you are going through separation and divorce can seem confusing and often overwhelming so to help you gain an understanding on the options available to you, your legal entitlements and how to start the process, it is advisable to take some professional advice. You may also benefit from seeking extra support from friends, family members, work colleagues or a relationship counsellor who will help you through this emotional time of conflict and uncertainty.

Severance Of A Joint Tenancy

There are two ways to jointly own a property:

1. Joint tenants
When a property is owned by two people as joint tenants, they both own the whole of the property. In the event that one joint owner dies, the entire property would automatically pass to the surviving joint owner. This is the case regardless as to whether the deceased had a Will or not.

Should I transfer my property to my children?

Many people believe that if you transfer your property to your children, it can reduce your inheritance tax liability on your death. There are many points you need to consider when transferring your property and a few are listed below.

Staying Positive During Your Divorce

Staying positive during your divorce can be challenge when such a wide range of emotions and feelings are often being experienced during this difficult time.

We all deal with situations in different ways, and whilst some may be able to cope and adapt to single life fairly well, others may be left feeling angry, resentful, confused, anxious, depressed and even fearful of what the future holds for them and their children without their spouse for support.

Summer Holidays and Specific Issue Orders

One of the common issues that separated parents can face is when one parent wishes to take the children on holiday and the other does not agree.

The Consequences of Illicitly Obtaining Evidence During a Divorce

When two parties are going through financial proceedings during a divorce, it can be frustrating when one party knows the other is being dishonest. It is not unusual for an ex-spouse to deny the value of their assets, or to dissipate money somewhere else in the hopes that they can benefit from it after financial proceedings are finalised.

Top 10 Facts about Parental Responsibility

Here are top 10 facts about parental responsibility that you should know:-

1.  Parental Responsibility is automatically granted to the mother of a child, and to both parents if they are married when the child is born or marry afterwards. If unmarried parents are listed on the birth certificate and were present at the registration of the birth of the child they will have parental responsibility. If one parent was not present, but is listed on the birth certificate, they may not have parental responsibility.

Top 5 Divorce Myths Debunked

1. I can get divorced in 6 weeks

The media reports celebrities getting a “6 week” divorce and online divorce companies say they can give you a “quickie” divorce. What they are actually talking about is a waiting period that has to happen between the second and third final stage of a divorce process.

Virtual Hearings: A new era?

It is a Monday morning, I am sat at home at my desk, with a cup of tea in hand, waiting for the Judge (who is perhaps not quite as familiar with technology as some) to locate and then access his invitation to the Teams meeting, which was the Court’s chosen mechanism for this remote hearing. We wait in rather uncomfortable silence, whilst the usher assists him, each staring impassively at each other and I find myself contemplating how we ended up here.