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Divorce is difficult. We’re here to help you untangle the knots.
Our family law solicitors offer a range of legal services dealing with children’s matters.
We help make the financial side of getting a divorce as simple as possible, whilst retaining what you deserve.
Our international divorce lawyers regularly advise on cases involving complex international aspects.
The breakdown of a relationship can often be a difficult and emotional time. Our separation and divorce lawyers support and offer advice on pre-civil partnership agreements, post-civil partnership agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and finances when a civil partnership ends.
Our family law solicitors are experienced in providing support for families experiencing difficult changes in their lives, including breakdowns in relationships and changes to family life.
At Austin Kemp, we’re here to help. Find out more about the divorce process, and other key information with our vast resource section.
Our industry-first Divorce Report combines numerous data sources and internal research, to bring you this specialist report.
Our expert divorce lawyers have listed questions which are commonly asked by our clients, to which we have provided an answer.
Our legal videos break down the complexity and jargon within our profession.
Our Legal Brochures detail the process for each area of Family Law. Download your brochure and learn more about what is involved in this complicated legal topic.
Our Legal Experts have written insights to help you navigate divorce and family law.
Thoroughly excellent service provided via Wikivorce. Was slightly apprehensive of how it would all work, especially at a distance. However, they were swift, efficient, immensely polite, accurate, and gave regular updates. I would recommend them to anyone.
Can't fault my experience in any way. Brilliant advice / available at short notice for any questions and most importantly swiftly achieved the desired result. Found Austin Kemp after feeling HCB Solicitors were not acting in my best interests and I was correct on all fronts - even including having an appreciation for the fact Divorce is already emotional situation. Also, rather than have to query every suggested next step and be charged for the pleasure; As I'd done a little research of my own and was able to challenge their advice - however we pay Solicitors for their expertise and need to put our trust in them. Austin Kemp thankfully achieved that for me during our first conversation I was already reassured they understood what I wanted and how best to achieve it. Resulting in 7-8 months less work and no court appearances as I had been previously advised by HCB. I THANK YOU DEARLY AUSTIN KEMP. I can start my life again earlier and with a healthier bank balance because of you!!!
Amazing service. For the first time in nearly two years I feel less in a spiral and more in control.
Thoroughly professional, straightforward, timely and reasonably priced. I would recommend this firm to anyone. Thank you Emma and Austen Kemp for a great service.
Thank you so much. You were great. I wasted so much time and money with my previous solicitors and only regret I did not contact you earlier. I have dropped a line to Paul to thank him for referring me to you. I hope you enjoyed the red I sent you as a token of our appreciation.
Austin Kemp provides a pragmatic and honest approach to the individual's journey through Family Law issues. They demonstrate a willingness and capacity to respond to challenging and unpredictable circumstances. The professional, yet personal, service is naturally client centred, but with a realistic and informed view of children's needs. And it has been heartening to have such a caring team walk beside me in the long journey.
I cannot recommend highly enough Austin Kemp as a strong, commercially intelligent and the most effective negotiators. Their negotiation skills are second to none. I have seen firsthand the excellent results this team achieves for their clients.
Just want to say thanks so much for everything. You have been brilliant and very patient. I always felt comfortable calling when asking to clarify certain points of the divorce.
I can honestly say that I am more than satisfied with the management of my case and of my then state of mind. I highly recommend this firm. Thank you.
Amandeep Kooner was not prepared to be swayed from a path of professionalism to accommodate my anxiety and frustration. He would not succumb to taking instructions tit for tat response. He ensured at all times that the response he gave reflected a dignified client with a pleasant demeanour. In so doing he demonstrated his commitment to protect and secure my interests and dignity off which I am most grateful.
Although he has a dual approached role which is business and a duty of care, Amandeep Kooner showed concerns for the level of expenditure that I had already put out with no resolve. His team contained the work to the minimum and produced the maximum results. My case was quickly progressed without compromising compassion and understanding.
Very professional service! Explained everything they were doing for my case every step of the way and really helped me to understand how we would proceed. Thank you!
Intellectually bright, hardworking and extremely professional - Amandeep Kooner took my case at it most difficult as I had come to the end of my ability to remain calm and patient. Up until I instructed Austin Kemp, I had lost all hope that any solicitor could convince me in pursuing a non-retaliatory approach as I was losing ground to allegations and fabrications. Tough, hardworking and extremely professional.
As specialist family solicitors, we’re often asked about spouse meaning. In this article, we’ll explain spouse meaning and discuss how your legal rights may differ depending on whether you are married or cohabiting.
We often refer to someone as a ‘spouse’ in our articles, so it’s important to understand spouse meaning, as well as the difference between living together and marriage.
When someone refers to a ‘spouse’, they are talking about either the husband or the wife in a married couple. The word ‘spouse’ can be used for both men and women.
Whereas the words ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ are used to describe the male and female partner in a marriage respectively, ‘spouse’ can be used to describe both sexes.
When answering the question ‘what is a spouse’, it’s important to note that the word ‘spouse’ can only ever be used when a couple is married.
So if you are married, your spouse is your husband or wife.
If you have a spouse, meaning that you are married, then you will, generally speaking, have more legal rights than an unmarried couple who are living together.
The main difference between living together and marriage is there are specific divorce laws to deal with issues that can arise when married couples separate. This means that things can be more complicated if cohabiting couples decide to separate.
Let’s look at this in more detail
When discussing spouse meaning, many people believe that there is a common-law version of marriage that it’s possible to acquire if a couple lives together for a long period of time. Sometimes, people who are cohabiting are even referred to as ‘common-law partners’.
In legal terms, spouse meaning does not extend to people who live together and are not married. There is no such thing as a common-law husband or wife.
If you have a spouse, meaning that you are married, there is specific divorce law that deals with everything from the divorce process, to who can live in the family home.
There are no specific laws that deal with the separation of cohabiting (unmarried) couples. So if there are any issues, such as who has a right to the family home, resolving conflict can be complicated.
If you are not married and live together, it may be possible to formalise your arrangements with your partner by entering into a cohabitation agreement. This is a legal agreement that sets out your rights and obligations towards each other. Your solicitor should be able to advise you if this would be appropriate in your circumstances.
If you are cohabiting with someone you are in a relationship with but are not married to, they could be referred to as your partner – but not your spouse.
A partner could also be a boyfriend or girlfriend you are in a relationship with, but not living with.
If your relationship with your spouse breaks down, there are specific laws governing how to get a divorce and how to deal with your financial settlement.
If you and your unmarried partner break up, there are no specific laws that deal with how your assets should be divided, should there be a dispute. In this instance, various other, often highly-complex areas of law could come into play, making the outcome harder to predict.
It is vital to understand spouse meaning when discussing divorce or separation.
If you want to end your marriage legally, you will need to go to court and get a divorce. You will also need to come to an arrangement with your spouse about how you will split your finances upon divorce and if you require spousal support. If you cannot reach an agreement about your financial settlement, you may need to go to court to ask a judge to decide for you.
Unmarried couples do not need to go to court to separate.
Understanding spouse meaning is crucial to make sure that you are aware of what rights you have if you separate from your partner.
If you have a spouse, meaning that you are married, your separation will be governed by divorce law. If you do not have a spouse, meaning that you are not married, there are no specific laws that deal with splitting up with your partner. However, other laws can come into play with regards to, for example, property ownership.
As always, whether or not you understand spouse meaning, you should seek independent legal advice specific to your circumstances if your relationship has broken down.
At Austin Kemp, we specialise in the following areas:
Our expert family law solicitors can help you with a range of legal issues relating to divorce, including:
For more information call our divorce solicitors on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.
Our expert family law solicitors offer a nationwide service. We have client meeting office facilities available, in order to have face-to-face client meetings / conferences as and when required in:
Please contact us for more details.
Find out how we can help you, call us on
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