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Resolving Family Disputes
• Divorce
• Separation
• Child Care issues
• Residence orders
• Contact orders
• Financial Issues
• International Issues
• Cohabitation
• Civil Partnership
Resolving Family Disputes
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.
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Divorce
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.
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Separation
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.
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Child Care issues
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.
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Residence orders
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.
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Contact orders
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.
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Financial Issues
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.
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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.
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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.
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Civil Partnership
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.
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