Family Law
No-fault divorce, child arrangements, child maintenance, domestic abuse, adoption, financial settlements, parental responsibility, and marriage rights under UK law.
No-Fault Divorce
Since April 2022, you can get a divorce in England and Wales without blaming your spouse. The sole ground for divorce is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, confirmed by a statement to th...
Child Arrangements
When parents separate, decisions about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent are made through Child Arrangements Orders (which replaced the old "custody" and &quo...
Child Maintenance
When parents live apart, the parent who doesn't live with the child (the "paying parent") is expected to contribute to the child's upkeep. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) calculates this...
Domestic Abuse Protection
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created the first statutory definition of domestic abuse, which includes:Physical abuse — hitting, pushing, restrainingEmotional/psychological abuse — intimidation, threats...
Adoption Rights
Adoption permanently transfers parental responsibility from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. Once an adoption order is made, it is irrevocable — the child is legally yours.Key facts:You must...
Financial Settlement on Divorce
When you divorce, the court has wide powers to divide finances between you and your ex-spouse. This can include:Lump sum paymentsProperty transfer or saleSpousal maintenance (periodic payments)Pension...
Parental Responsibility
Parental responsibility (PR) means all the rights, duties, powers, and authority a parent has in relation to their child. It includes the right to:Choose the child's name and schoolConsent to medical...
Marriage and Civil Partnership
In England and Wales, you can legally marry or enter a civil partnership. Key rules:You must be at least 18 years old (the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised this from 16).Bo...