Blogs

Can a Maintenance Order be varied?

A Spousal Maintenance Order (or Periodical Payments Order) is the financial obligation the court decides one party in a divorce will pay the other party following their divorce.  It will be a set amount paid on either a weekly or monthly basis for a defined period but, once it’s in place, can a maintenance order […]

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Can we debunk the most common myths about common law marriage?

One of the most common myths about common law marriage is it exists! It did once but the concept was abolished in 1753 so it is incredible that it lives on in so many people’s mind. A recent study carried out by The National Centre for Social Research discovered 46% of us still believe that a cohabiting […]

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Will prenups stand up in court in the UK?

A prenuptial agreement or prenup is a legal document that sets out how a couple’s assets would be divided split should they split up.  They have long been popular in the US, but more and more couples are now entering into prenuptial agreements in the UK even though for many there is still a question […]

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Should employees be given ‘divorce leave’ if their relationship breaks down?

Whether or not employees should be given ‘divorce leave’ has long been discussed.  It has hit the headlines again after a long list of UK companies including Tesco, Asda, NatWest, PwC, Unilever, Vodafone, and Metro Bank publicly stated they are ready to introduce new family friendly HR policies for staff going through a relationship breakdown.  […]

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Can those identifying as non-binary marry?

The government rightly wants equal rights for everyone.  With regards to marriage this means that while people can be prevented from marrying if there is a ‘good reason’, being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender will never again be counted as a good reason.   However, the picture as to whether those identifying as non-binary can marry […]

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What are matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets and how are they dealt with in a divorce?

One of the most contentious elements of a divorce is the division of assets.  Central to this is understanding the different types of assets involved, particularly with regards to matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets. The need to differentiate between matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets is brought into sharper focus because the Court’s starting point is to find […]

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How can businesses protect themselves against business crime?

Business crime continues to have an enormous impact on UK businesses.  In their 2022 Crime Survey for England and Wales, the government recorded an estimated 3.5 million incidents of fraud and 2.2 million incidents of theft against businesses in the UK in 2020 alone so how can businesses protect themselves against business crime? It’s also […]

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The campaign for Gloria’s Law ramps up

If it comes into force, Gloria’s Law will ensure that no elderly or vulnerable person ever dies alone while staying in a care home. During the recent pandemic hundreds died isolated and alone in care homes.  This is heart wrenching enough.  The fact their families and friends were unable comfort let alone say goodbye to their […]

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What do the changes to ‘no fault eviction’ mean for landlords?

Since its introduction the Housing Act 1988 has enabled private landlords to use ‘no fault evictions’ to repossess their properties, even when the tenants have not given them any cause for an eviction.  The government is now committed to a Bill that will end no fault evictions but what will the changes to ‘no fault eviction’ […]

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What happens to a family loan in a divorce?

Today more and more parents are helping their children get onto the property ladder, pay for a wedding, or just make them a little more comfortable.  However, what happens to a family loan in a divorce or separation? What is a family loan? A family loan is a sum of money lent by one family […]

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