Family

A divorce, financial and child proceedings

Joanna Pratt acted for a husband with regard to divorce, financial and children proceedings.

Finances and mediation – keeping it out of court

Government cut backs in the public sector mean it is now more expensive and takes longer for a court to deal with a financial application within divorce proceedings. Mediation can be a a significantly cheaper and quicker way to resolve financial issues

Child(ren) and mediation – keeping it out of court

Government cut backs in the public sector have had an impact on family cases.  It now takes longer and is more expensive to resolve a case through the court system.  People are increasingly looking to “keep it out of court”.  Increasingly, former couples are turning to mediation as a way of resolving the issues arising from their separation (including financial and children).

What happens when an ex-spouse does not abide by the terms of a settlement?

Over recent weeks there has been some surprise in the world of family law at the decision made by banker Kerim Derhalli to pursue his former wife - Jayne Richardson Derhalli - for ‘back rent’ in relation to her occupation of the former £6 million matrimonial home in London, and maybe slightly more surprise at the fact the application has so far been successful.

New legislation to introduce no-fault divorce

Following repeated calls for reform by judges and lawyers, the Government has announced plans to introduce the biggest change in divorce law in more than 50 years. The changes will apply to the dissolution of both marriages and civil partnerships.

Thomson Snell & Passmore is recognised as one of the UK’s Top Law Firms

Thomson Snell & Passmore has been named as one of the Top Law Firms for its private wealth practice for the fifth consecutive year.

What happens to a family business in divorce?

We look at some of the ways in which the courts in England and Wales approach the family business within divorce proceedings.

Divorce: going Private

The January blues often follow the Christmas period, as the stresses and strains of family life throw up conflicts and resentments that may have been harbouring for a while.

Enforcement of financial orders within divorce proceedings

Family lawyers are feeling more positive that the Government is going to revisit the ways in which financial orders within divorce proceedings can be enforced. If amendments are made, it will make it more difficult for obstinate spouses to avoid meeting their obligations. 

The Times Best Law Firms 2019

Thomson Snell & Passmore has been ranked as one of the best law firms for its family practice in The Times Best Law Firms 2019.  

Making financial provision for children upon separation. Schedule 1 Children Act 1989

Parents are often shocked to discover that their only entitlement on separation is to child maintenance. 

Cohabitation: “Living together” Agreements – Are they worth it?

Moving in with your partner is one of the most exciting times of your life. We all hope that our relationships will work and that we will never have to think about the ‘what if’s’, if something were to happen.

When your ex doesn't pay enforcement matters

Former spouses who refuse to comply with financial orders could be disqualified from driving or prevented from travelling abroad under measures being considered by the government.  

I'm heterosexual and would like to enter into a civil partnership

Joanna Pratt spoke to the Finanical Times in response to a reader’s question on civil partnerships for heterosexual couples. 

Resolution’s Cohabitation Awareness Week

There are over 3 million people living together in the UK as cohabiting couples according to the Office of National Statistics . Cohabiting couples are in fact the fastest growing family type. However there is currently very little if any legal protection for such couples if their relationship breaks down.

FAQ: Tax Planning

Q. We want to help our 20 year old daughter buy her first flat, but we’re worried about putting such a valuable asset directly in her name. Is there anything we can do to protect the property until she’s a bit older?

Bank of Mum and Dad – how to protect your wealth

It is increasingly difficult to save for a deposit whilst paying rent and outgoings on a rented property. Lenders are now far more cautious about how much they will lend and who they will lend it to. As a result parents are regularly stepping in to help out their children to purchase a property.

Giggs drop bid to gag reporters

Partner, Kirstie Law from our family team speaks to The Times and comments on the privacy of Ryan Giggs' divorce.

Are trusts the new pre-nups for wealthy families?

Desmond O'Donnell, senior associate from our family department and Stuart Price, solicitor from our private client department speak with Spear's about pre-nuptial agreements for wealthy families.

FAQ: Family

Christmas Contact

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the hardest times for parents who are separated.  Do remember that most families find Christmas stressful at times.  Acknowledge that it is inevitably particularly hard when there is so much emphasis on one day that most separated parents cannot spend together so usually “miss out” alternate years.

Social media in your relationship

Social media seems to be taking over the world as a form of communication. Both young and old are opening Twitter accounts, regularly updating their Facebook pages, constantly sending text messages and exchanging photographs on Instagram to name a few.

Update on prenuptial agreements

Every so often there is a high profile wedding or divorce which highlights throughout the media the role of prenuptial agreements. It is certainly the case that more couples are entering into a prenuptial agreement before they marry. In early 2016, when Cheryl Cole’s marriage broke down, there was a lot of speculation in the media as to whether she and her husband had entered into a prenuptial agreement, and if they hadn’t, what the extent of his potential claim against her might be.

Reflections on a business owner’s sale of company shares to fund a divorce

Joanna Pratt, Partner in our family department speaks to global wealth management reporter WeathBriefing and discusses a case in which a business owner sold a large block of shares in a company to fund a divorce settlement.

Wealth preservation

Pre-nuptial agreements are becoming more common, and are not just for the rich and famous.  Helen Waite, Senior Associate in our Family team, addresses the importance of protecting family wealth at an early stage of a relationship and explains the options available.

Top 25 UK Law Firm

We are pleased to receive, for another year, the accolade from eprivateclient of being listed as one of the Top 25 Law Firms in the UK.

Court orders Laura Ashley boss to settle 'titanic' divorce case

Desmond O'Donnell from our Family team speaks to the Guardian in relation to the Laura Ashley boss divorce case.

Maughan v Wilmott [2016] EWHC 29 (Fam)

The Maughan v Wilmott [2016] EWHC 29 (Fam) case outlines a child maintenance order served by email whilst a husband was out of jurisdiction. The husband would like the order set aside due to the basis that it was served to him out of jurisdiction by which the email was refused.

Are you aware of your digital assets?

For most of us, and increasingly irrespective of age, the digital world has crept into our lives. Whether we manage our bank accounts or investments online, store our photographs in the cloud or manage our social lives through Facebook, our digital footprints are becoming deeper and deeper.

Divorce procedure - a brief guide

Divorce: Pensions

Helping children onto the property ladder

Injunctions to prevent disposal of assets

Judicial separation procedure

Protection from domestic abuse

Severance of joint ownership

Wealth preservation

Will and estate planning services