When parents separate, deciding where a child will live and how they’ll be cared for can be one of the most difficult and emotional parts of the process. Disagreements over living arrangements often lead families to seek clear guidance on what the law allows and how a court may decide if the couple is unable to agree.

When parents separate, one of the hardest things to handle is how to explain the situation to children. While the emotional side of these discussions is personal to every family, the legal process of divorce and separation shapes much of what children need to hear.

When couples marry or enter into a civil partnership, the law in England and Wales generally treats assets as part of the “marital pot” available for division if the relationship ends. A prenuptial agreement is often seen as the most direct way to ringfence wealth acquired before the marriage, inherited funds or family property, but it is not the only option.

A landmark family law change removes the presumption of parental involvement when assessing child arrangements in family court. Speak to our family team.

A child and family assessment is one of the first steps social services may take if concerns are raised about a child’s safety, welfare, or development. The assessment looks at the child’s needs, the parents’ ability to meet those needs, and whether additional support or intervention is required.

When families separate, making decisions about children—where they live, how much time they spend with each parent, and how they’re supported—can be emotionally challenging. In some cases, parents turn to the Family Court for help. But for many years, the system designed to support these families has been criticised for being slow, adversarial, and at times, harmful—especially for children caught in the middle.

For every three cohabitation agreements our family solicitors have handled, they have advised on around fifty financial and property disputes between couples who are splitting up. The process and cost of a cohabitation agreement is much simpler and quicker than a dispute. This article explains what a cohabitation agreement is, and why you should consider one if you’re going to move in with your other half.

Forced marriage could be happening more often than figures suggest, a solicitor claims, after shedding light into the reality of her cases.