There are a wide variety of disputes that can arise within family
situations, from disputes between a couple deciding whether to
continue their relationship, to arrangements over children. The
Family team is experienced in dealing with a wide range of disputes.
They know that dealing with these issues is emotionally difficult
and that everyone responds to their situation differently. The
team can advise you on the options available in your circumstances,
practical and emotional, short and long term.
The mechanics of obtaining a divorce are normally quite straightforward,
the Family department will help you through the legal formalities,
but can also give you guidance on the more practical aspects of
ending a relationship such as where to live, making arrangements
for the children and financial matters.
For more information about the divorce procedure please see our
Frequently asked questions section.
Some couples decide to separate rather than divorce. It is possible
to create an agreement between the two partners which sets out
the terms of the separation. This can be faster than the divorce
procedure, but does have some disadvantages. It is not a final
end to the marriage, but an agreement to live apart from each
other.
If you think an arrangement of this type would be suitable for
you we can give you advice on drawing up an agreement.
Child care issues are often highlighted when relationships between
parents break down.
The family department can help with a wide variety of issues which
involve children, including dealing with Residence, Contact, Financial
Provision and obtaining orders relating to specific problems.
Residence orders specify who a child is to live with, whether
with a parent, or another person. The orders can also specify
the amount of time that a child spends living in each place.
The family team have a wide experience in dealing with these orders
and can help you seek an order to suit the needs of your child.
If you feel that a contact order is needed to authorise or prevent
contact between your child and another person, or you would like
to change the amount of contact you are currently allowed under
an order, the Family team can guide you through the process of
dealing with issues of contact.
If you are going through a divorce, or family dispute one of the
biggest worries is how you will manage your finances whatever
the outcome.
Money issues can be confusing and stressful, the Family team aim
to give realistic advice which will clarify your options and help
you through the process of sorting out your financial arrangements.
The team also deals with enforcing payment of financial support,
for both children and partners.
International Issues
The Family team deals with a variety of international family issues,
including the representation of UK nationals living abroad in
family issues, International child abduction
and obtaining leave to remove children from the country or the
prevention of children being removed.
Cohabitation
Many couples live together without being married or registering
as civil partners. Whether you are making arrangements before
you move in together, or resolving disputes after you have decided
to stop living together, the family team can help you deal with
issues that affect couples living together and their children.
Civil Partnership is a new legal relationship, which can be formed
when a same sex couple register as Civil Partners.
To form a civil partnership both partners have to sign a partnership
document in the presence of an authorized person. This will be
dealt with by your local registry office.
When you become civil partners this will invalidate any Wills
that you have made previously, for more information see our
Wills trusts and probate page.
Registering a civil partnership may affect your position under
court orders that have been made in family proceedings in the
past. Please contact us
for advice on how becoming civil partners might affect you.
As with any relationship your civil partnership may break down,
civil partners do not get divorced but the partnership can be
dissolved by the courts. The procedure for dissolving a civil
partnership is very similar to the divorce procedure. Financial
relief will be available to civil partners in similar ways to
divorcing couples.
Ruth Tibbett and her team in the family department
have a wide range of experience dealing with family disputes.
Ruth is an accredited member of Resolution (formerly the SFLA)
this organisation takes a constructive non-confrontational approach
to family issues. Ruth and her team aim to deal with your case
in a way that minimises conflict and distress and preserve people's
dignity.
Although the team aims to encourage fair agreement, immediate
and decisive action can be taken where necessary; Ruth is experienced
in taking emergency action to protect clients and their children
or assets.
Percy Hughes & Roberts
If you have an issue you would like to talk about, please contact
a member of the team on 0151 666 9155 or e-mail family@phrsols.co.uk
