Family & Matrimonial

When a relationship breaks down this can be a stressful time. Inevitably you will have a number of concerns such as:

1. who will pay for the mortgage
2. whether you will be entitled to maintenance for yourself and your children
3. will you need to pay maintenance
4. how do financial settlements work     
5. is a financial settlement affected by inheritance claims
6. how will assets you bought into the marriage be dealt with upon financial settlement
7. what will happen to the house, will you be entitled to continue living there
8. you may have difficulties seeing your children
9. fears for your safety or concerns about allegations made against you of domestic violence
10. you will want to know how much will it cost for legal advice

Whatever your circumstances you need to know what your options are.

Divorce

We can offer advice and representation in divorce matters. We aim to deal with your divorce proceedings as quickly as possible. If there are financial matters to sort out then these can be dealt with alongside your divorce.

Separation Agreements- resolving matters without divorce

If your marriage breaks down but you do not want a divorce  we can assist you in resolving financial matters through a formal separation agreement. The process begins by  negotiating a settlement between the parties. Once agreement has been reached , a formal separation agreement can be drafted to record the terms of the settlement.

Children matters

Those frequently most affected by a relationship breakdown are the children. It helps if the parties can agree with whom the children are to live and when the other parent can see the children. The Court will only become involved if the parties cannot agree these matters. In some circumstances, agreement is not possible and an application needs to be made to the court to resolve  issues such as where the children shall live and with whom or when the  non resident parent can see the children. Other areas of dispute can involve differences of opinion in respect of the children’s health and educational matters

Domestic violence

Domestic violence covers a range of situations where one person in some way harms another person, with whom they have a pre-existing relationship. The definition of “harm” can range from physical attack upon another or it may be another form of abuse such as pestering phone calls, emotional abuse, taking a lover into the family home or destroying the victims belongings. We can offer advice and representation in these matters. You may be on the receiving end of accusations of domestic violence. We can offer advice and assistance with this.

Co- habitation disputes/agreements

People are quite often unaware of their legal position when they start living together or when their relationship breaks down. There is no such thing as being protected through “ common law marriage”, which does not in fact exist. We can advise you and help you to resolve financial matters if your relationship breaks down. 

We can help you to protect your interests in property and assets before you start living together by preparing a co-habitation agreement.