FAMILY LAW
Family Law covers a wide variety of matters concerning married, cohabiting and same sex couples, together with issues that might also include the extended family as well.
Even before marriage a couple may wish to enter into a prenuptial agreement to set out what they intend to happen with their assets should the marriage end in divorce.
It may seem a negative thing to consider at the time but, particularly where assets are brought into the marriage, it can save a lot of heartache at a later date should things not work out. Even if a couple is not intending getting married a similar agreement known as a living together agreement is a good investment.
When things do go wrong there are legal processes needed to bring about the divorce or the termination of the civil partnership. Orders can be obtained to deal with the welfare of any children of the marriage including where and who they should live with, who has responsibility for them. In extreme cases applications are required in other countries to deal with children who have been taken from one country to another by one of their parents.
Some marriages end in, or because of, violence and injunctions become necessary to protect one of the parties to the marriage or their children.
When one of a divorced or separated couple dies, issues may arise because of the existence of a second wife, partner or extended family. If adequate provision has not been made in the deceased's will then applications may become necessary to ensure that the court varies the will and provides for the family properly.
Of course the financial matters of the couple also need to be dealt with and this may include any number of assets in either or joint names requiring sorting out.
These issues do not necessarily need to involve the court as collaborative law and mediation also offer solutions that may often be speedier, less confrontational and more cost effective.
