Family
Shared care arrangements for children
At Attwaters, we believe that agreeing on appropriate child arrangements should be one of the priorities when going through a separation. In this blog, we outline some things to think about when making decisions and what to expect if you need to go to court. What to consider You will need....
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Out of court solutions for separating parents
If you’re going through a separation, resolving child arrangements outside of court can be quicker, less confrontational and more cost-effective. These processes give you greater control and often help preserve co-parenting relationships, which benefits your children in the long term. In this blo....
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Understanding financial settlements and child maintenance after separation
Separating from a spouse is never easy, particularly when there are children and shared finances to consider. Reaching a fair, workable arrangement is essential for your wellbeing and for your child’s future. At Attwaters, our expert Family Law team can help you understand your rights, explore yo....
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Government announces major reform to protect children in family courts
On 22 October 2025, the government announced plans to change the way the family courts handle child contact cases. In this blog, we explain what is changing and what it could mean for families. The current situation At the moment, family courts operate under the principle that it is gener....
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Clarifying matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets – A case review
In the ever-evolving landscape of family law, the recent case of Standish v. Standish has brought clarity to the (often complex) distinction between ‘matrimonial’ and ‘non-matrimonial’ assets. By way of definition, matrimonial assets are financial assets acquired by either spouse during ....
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What is a Fact-Finding hearing?
If you’re involved in family court proceedings, particularly where there are serious allegations such as domestic abuse, you may encounter a fact-finding hearing if the accused party denies the allegations. These hearings enable the family court to determine whether disputed allegations are tr....
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Is domestic abuse still seen through a gendered lens?
In the last few days, a brief yet striking clip of French President Emmanuel Macron appearing to be shoved in the face by his wife (Brigitte Macron) as they exited an aircraft has circulated widely online. Although The President initially dismissed the clip as a “joke” and “teasing”, the....
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Variation applications for spousal maintenance
Spousal maintenance – where one spouse pays the other a regular sum of money from their income following separation or divorce – is designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage. However, life changes constantly, ....
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Incidents of domestic abuse in the UK are changing – Here’s what it means for families
Domestic abuse is an issue that sadly continues to affect millions of people across the UK. Recent changes in how domestic abuse is officially defined and measured have led to a clearer, albeit troubling, understanding of just how widespread this problem is. According to the latest figures fr....
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Fact-finding hearings in family court – the process
When there are family disputes involving children, the Court’s primary concern will always be ‘the welfare of the child[ren]’. Unfortunately, there are some cases where serious allegations of abuse or neglect are made by one parent against the other (or both parents against each other). To as....
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Do I need permission to take my child on holiday?
As the summer holidays approach, many parents are looking forward to enjoying the break with their children. However, if you and your child’s other parent are separated, you will need to consider your legal obligations before making any overseas travel arrangements. In cases where both pare....
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Should cohabiting partners have the same rights as married couples?
They share a home, a life, and sometimes even children, but in the eyes of the law, cohabiting partners are often little more than strangers. Many people are still surprised to learn there’s no such thing as a “common law marriage” in England and Wales. Unlike married couples, cohabitan....
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Tracking, tapping, controlling – The rise of tech abuse in family law
There was a time when domestic abuse meant threats behind closed doors, reading someone's post or bank cards being held hostage. Now, it's thermostats being turned up to 30°C in the middle of the night. It's WhatsApp messages being read before you've had the chance to see them yourself. It's th....
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A frying pan, a pre-nup, and a reality check
When Simon Entwistle told a judge he couldn’t even make an omelette, he might have expected sympathy. Instead, he was handed a stark reality check -“Learn.” His claim for a £26,000 annual meal allowance was swiftly dismissed, with the judge making it clear that marrying into wealth doesn....
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The importance of pre-nuptial agreements
Pre-nuptial agreements are often dismissed as being “unromantic”. However, research from the Marriage Foundation shows that they neither increase nor reduce the risk of divorce. At Attwaters, we understand that separating seems unimaginable when you are happily engaged, but we do strongly recom....
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Read this before taking your 25% tax-free lump sum
With speculation swirling about the Labour government’s first Budget, it is unsurprising that rumoured cuts to pension taxation are causing concern amongst savers. Currently, it is being speculated that Labour will reduce the maximum tax-free lump sum amount to just £100,000, down from the curre....
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When fees transparency meets unreasonable behaviour
As lawyers, our reputation is built on the quality of our advice, the outcomes we deliver for our clients, and our commitment to transparency and honesty when it comes to explaining the fees our clients will pay for the services we provide. It is this last aspect that will be the focus of our bl....
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Do grandparents have rights?
In many families, grandparents play a huge role in their grandchildren’s lives, their upbringing and their welfare - from providing childcare to supporting them financially through their education. As a society we are increasingly recognising the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren....
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What happens if my child misses school during term time?
As the summer holidays approach, families may be thinking about removing their child from school during term time to take them on holiday. It is understandable why so many people consider this; after all, holidays are so much cheaper during term time and what harm will a few missed school days real....
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Courts changing their approach to the future of family law
Family law disputes have sometimes had a reputation for conflict. At a stressful time in your personal life, having to fight a court battle can be an unwelcome thought. In recent years, there has been a big shift away from this confrontational style of divorce proceedings. Now, updates to the fa....
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