Legal Library

Arrangement for children following breakdown of relationship

• How much time can my partner expect to have with them?
• I am worried about my ex-partner spending time alone with our children. What can I do?
• I think my child has been abducted - what can I do?
• I want to move abroad with my children. How can I do this?
• I want to take my children on holiday abroad. Do I need to tell my partner?
• We both work full time. How should we split our time with our children?
• What to do when moving abroad with your child?

Breakdown of cohabitation

• I am thinking of getting a cohabitation agreement. Is this enforceable?
• I have done substantial works to the property. Do I have any rights to the property?
• I’m breaking up with my partner who I’ve lived with. Do I need legal advice?
• Is there a difference between tenants in common and joint tenants?
• My partner owns our home but I have contributed to the mortgage and/or deposit. Do I have any rights?
• My relationship with my cohabitee has broken down. Do I have any rights?
• We live together, with our child, but are unmarried. What rights do I have?

Changing your solicitor

• I no longer feel confident in my current solicitor. Can I change them?

Civil partnership breakdown

• How long can I expect a civil partnership dissolution to take?
• I want my partner to pay costs for the dissolution of our civil partnership. Can I do this?
• I want to dissolve my civil partnership. On what basis can I do this?
• I’m dissolving my civil partnership. What’s a decree absolute?
• I’m dissolving my civil partnership. What’s a decree nisi?
• I’m no longer sure I want to go ahead with my civil partnership dissolution. Can I change my mind?
• I’m thinking about dissolving my civil partnership. How much would this cost?
• If either partner lives abroad who apply for a dissolution in England?
• Will the court take my partner's conduct into account?

Cohabitation Agreements

• I am living with my partner. Am I a common law husband or wife?
• I’m moving in with my partner. What is a co-habitation agreement?
• We’re thinking of drawing up a cohabitation agreement. How much would this cost?
• We’ve had children after setting up a co-habitation agreement. Should we review it?

Communication problems

• I don’t feel comfortable talking to my partner. Do I have to communicate with them?

Court proceedings

• How to start divorce financial proceedings?
• I want to take my divorce case to court - where do I start?
• Is it very expensive to go to court for my divorce?
• The divorce wasn’t my fault - do I have to pay the fees?
• Will my divorce take a long time to be finalised?

Dealing with an appeal to set aside a financial order

• I want to appeal my final court order. How much will it cost?
• I’m not happy with my final court order. What can I do?

Dealing with divorce

• Do I have to go to court for my divorce?
• Do I need to move out of the family home during divorce proceedings?
• During a divorce why are court proceedings used by some people?
• How can I make the divorce process cost as little as possible?
• How do I find a good solicitor to deal with my divorce?
• How long will my divorce take to go through?
• I am having an international divorce. What should I be thinking about?
• I think I want a divorce - when should I let my spouse know?
• I think my spouse is behaving badly. Will the court take their conduct or adultery into account?
• I want my spouse to pay costs for our divorce. Can I do this?
• I want to discuss our divorce terms with my spouse - what do I need to think about?
• I want to help my children get through our divorce - what can I do first?
• I’m getting a divorce - what do I need to think about?
• I’m getting a divorce - where do I start?
• I’m getting a divorce. What’s a decree absolute?
• I’m getting a divorce. What’s a decree nisi?
• I’m no longer sure I want to go ahead with my divorce. Can I change my mind?
• I’m thinking about getting a divorce. How much would this cost?
• I’m thinking of getting a divorce. How long will it take?
• I’m thinking of getting a divorce. When should I first contact a solicitor?
• I’ve heard about a DIY divorce - is this a good idea?
• In a divorce what should and shouldn’t I do as a parent?
• Is it possible for me to divorce in England?
• Is my marriage recognised in England?
• Is there a particular country that’s best for my international divorce?
• Myself or my spouse live abroad. Can I apply for a divorce in England and Wales?
• Should I get a divorce? - What should I do first? 
• Should I negotiate my divorce myself or get a solicitor to do it?
• Should I still contact a solicitor even if I’m not sure I want a divorce?
• We’re getting a divorce - what’s the best way to break the news to our children?
• We’re going through a divorce - should I change my parenting style?
• We’re going through a divorce - what is my child going through?
• What do I need to consider before getting a divorce?
• What does our divorce mean for our children?
• What’s the best time to tell the children that we are getting a divorce?
• What’s the best way to approach my divorce?
• What’s the first thing I should do if I want an international divorce?
• What’s the most effective way to get through the divorce process?

Dealing with the media and the press

• I want to go to the press with my family issues. Is it OK to do this?
• I’m worried about my reputation. Can you recommend a PR agency?
• I’m worried about my reputation. What can I do to protect it?
• I’m worried that the press will attend my court hearings. Are they able to do that?
• My partner is threatening to go to the press and destroy my reputation. What can I do?

Domestic violence and harassment

• I need legal protection from domestic abuse. How quickly can this be arranged?
• I want to get an injunction against my partner. How much will this cost?
• My partner has threatened or abused me/my child. What can I do to protect us?
• My partner is threatening or abusing me. Is it OK to call the police?

Enforcement of child contact arrangements

• My partner won’t let me see my child. What are my rights?

Enforcement of financial orders

• My ex-partner is refusing to pay what has been agreed on the court order. What are my rights?
• My ex-partner says they don’t have any money left. What are my rights?
• My partner isn’t complying with a financial order. Can he go to jail for this?

Enforcement of provisions for children

• My ex-partner says they have no money left for child maintenance. What are my rights?
• My ex-partner won’t pay for the children but I have a court order saying he has to. What are my rights?

Financial provisions for children

• Is my partner responsible for our child’s school fees?
• My partner doesn’t want to pay child maintenance. Do they have to?
• My partner doesn’t want to provide a home for our children. Do they have to?
• My partner is a high earner. What can I do if the CSA don’t provide for enough money for my children?

Paying for your living costs and legal fees

• Can I have a fixed fee for my divorce?
• How do you work out the fees for my divorce?
• I don’t have enough money for my legal fees. What can I do?
• I think I need a litigation loan. What is it and how do I get one?
• I’m not sure my divorce is suitable for fixed fees. What can I do?
• Is it possible for me to agree divorce fees at the outset?
• My partner has cut me off from our money. What can I do?

Post-nuptial agreements

• I’m thinking about getting a post-nuptial agreement. Will it protect my assets, even at the end of a long marriage?
• I’m thinking of entering into a post nuptial agreement. Are they legally binding?
• I’m thinking of entering into a post nuptial agreement. Do I need to do this?

Prenuptial agreements

• I would like to enter into a pre-nuptial agreement or civil partnership agreement. How long do I have to leave before my wedding/civil partnership ceremony to do this?
• I’m thinking about entering into a pre-nuptial/civil partnership agreement. How much will it cost?
• I’m thinking of entering into a pre-nuptial agreement. How much disclosure of my assets do I need to give to my partner?
• I’m thinking of entering into a pre-nuptial agreement. Will the courts enforce them?
• My partner and I are thinking of entering into a pre-nuptial agreement. Can we use the same solicitor?
• My partner does not want to enter into a pre-nuptial/civil partnership agreement. Can I force them to?

Putting your children first

• Do I have parental responsibility?
• I don’t agree with the other parent about our children - what can we do?
• In what ways can we put our children’s interests first?
• What will my children be going through during the divorce process?

Shared parenting

• Are children more likely to live with their mother after divorce?
• Can my children just live with me?
• Child arrangement orders - what are they?
• Child arrangements - What should I do?
• I have a new partner - will this make a difference to the child arrangements?
• In what circumstances will a court order shared residence?
• Is it possible for our child to live with both of us?
• What happens if my spouse makes allegations about me during our divorce?
• What if my ex-spouse has stopped me from seeing my child?
• Will I only get to see my child every other weekend?
• Will I see my children regularly after my divorce?
• Will the children live with their mother after we divorce?

Variation of child contact arrangements

• I don't like my ex-partner’s new partner. Can I stop my children from seeing them?
• I think my partner may be taking drugs. Can I vary the contact order?
• I want to vary the contact arrangement because of the way my partner is acting around our children. Can I do this?

Variation of financial orders

• I can no longer afford to pay the maintenance provisions in my court order after losing my job. What can I do?
• I want to apply to vary my court order because my partner has inherited some money. Can I do this?
• I want to vary my financial order because my partner has won the lottery. Can I do this?

Who should a child live with?

• Can my child choose to live with me?
• Who will make the decisions about where my child will live?

Your children during divorce

• Do I need to go to court to get my child arrangements decided during divorce?
• Do other family members have a say what happens to the children after divorce?
• How Far Can a Parent Move with Joint Custody?
• I have concerns about what will happen to my children during divorce
• Is it OK to take my child abroad?

Your finances

• Are there any downsides to getting a solicitor to negotiate on my behalf?
• How can Austin Kemp help company directors and executives?
• How can Austin Kemp help professionals?
• How to negotiate a financial settlement and the dangers of getting it wrong!
• What do I need to think about next with regards to the financial settlement?