Family Law - Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the questions our family lawyers are often asked by clients.
Click on each question to find out more.
Divorce and Separation
How do I start divorce proceedings?
Do I need a solicitor to get a divorce?
How long will my divorce take?
Do I have to prove my marriage breakdown is someone's fault in order to get a divorce?
Can my spouse contest my petition for divorce?
What is the difference between decree nisi and decree absolute?
Financial Matters
How will financial matters be decided?
Am I entitled to half of everything in the financial settlement?
I haven't contributed much to the family finances during our marriage as I have been a full-time parent/homemaker/carer - what am I entitled to?
How much personal financial information do I have to provide?
Children matters
What kinds of Orders could the Court make concerning my children?
I am worried that my ex-partner could take our children out of the country - what can I do to prevent this?
Who will decide who my children live with after the divorce?
Do I have to involve my children in making the decisions that will affect their living arrangements or parental contact?
How will the amount of maintenance I/my ex-partner pays for our children be decided?
Adoption
Who can adopt?
People who are over 21 and able to make provision for a child, in terms of time, space, energy and flexibility, are eligible to adopt. There is no uppper age limit.
A child can be adopted:
- by a married couple
- by a single person
- by one partner in an unmarried couple (whether that couple be heterosexual, lesbian or gay)
- jointly by an unmarried couple
Disabled people are able to adopt and in certain cases experience of disability is welcomed. People from all religions and ethnic origins can adopt, and generally it is now held that an adopting family should reflect the child's ethnic and racial identity.
An application to adopt from anyone with a criminal record would be scrutinised more carefully, but (other than in cases where the person applying to adopt had committed offences against children) a criminal record would not necessarily mean that someone was not eligible to adopt a child.
How does the adoption process work?
Which Court will deal with the adoption?
Someone is trying to adopt my child without my consent - what should I do?
Is it possible to adopt a child from abroad?
