Family: Divorce, Finances, Separation & Child Arrangements

Recently the Government launched a consultation which could see cohabiting couples – who live together, but are not married – given automatic inheritance rights and financial protections upon separation, or if their partner dies. It marks a dramatic shift in a legal system that has previously left millions of people with little or no legal status and protection when a live-in relationship breaks down, regardless of how many years they devoted to a family or home. This disproportionately effects women, who are often the financially weaker party at the end of a relationship, and facing greater hardship afterwards.

Divorce proceeding times can vary enormously. For a no fault divorce in England and Wales which is simple and non-contentious, 26 weeks should be the norm. This timeline is mainly driven by a mandatory minimum 20-week reflection period between the initial application and the Conditional Order, followed by an additional 6-week waiting period before you can apply for the Final Order that legally ends the marriage.

In the UK, around 42% of marriages end in divorce, and there’s a common assumption that these splits usually happen to young couples growing apart, the stresses of raising children, or the infamous ‘seven-year itch’. But this is not the case.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd, one of Coventry, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire’s leading law firms is pleased to announce it has recently appointed Shagufta Rani as an Associate Solicitor into its expanding Family department.

If you are preparing for a divorce, or just started going through the process, one of the most difficult things you must do as a separating couple is to deal fairly with the division of assets. A fair split of your combined assets is the best outcome.

Family lawyers across England and Wales welcome the latest news from The Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Last Week the MOJ confirmed that funding for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme will continue for the 2026-27 budget year.

Going through a divorce can be an unsettling and a challenging time. For a start, you probably have lots of questions about how the legal process works, as well as wanting to know what your options are, especially if there are children to think about.

Following the recent publication of The Legal 500 UK 2026 results we are delighted to announce that Alsters Kelley Criminal Litigation & Motoring Offences department has maintained their Tier 2 ranking in the General Crime & Fraud, West Midlands section.

Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd, one of Coventry, Warwickshire & Oxfordshire’s leading law firms is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Lee as Head of their Family Private department.

When a couple decide to divorce, it’s vital that they both receive a fair and transparent settlement. Often difficulties and challenges can arise when people who are divorcing are trying to negotiate a financial settlement.

The Family Procedure Rule Committee, which sets the rules in family court cases, has proposed the changes, which have just completed their public consultation, following concerns about court-appointed experts, who advise on life-changing decisions without having the necessary qualifications and oversight. 

A C2 application in family law is a court form used when making a request related to an existing case, or a child arrangement order. 

A no-fault divorce, also known as a divorce without blame, allows couples to end a marriage without one party having to prove the other committed wrongdoing.

You may have heard about a prenuptial agreement, which is signed before a marriage or civil partnership and outlines how a couple’s finances will be handled in the event of divorce or separation. Well a postnuptial is similar, apart from the fact that the agreement is created after the couple have already married.

When two or more people own a property together, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, there is the potential for a legal dispute relating to how much each person actually owns, if for example a relationship fails, or one party wants their money out.

Family law solicitors across England and Wales have been awaiting the decision of the “Standish v Standish” case, in the hope of clarification of how pre-marital or inherited assets are treated in divorce settlements. The Supreme Court released its judgement after the hearing concluded on May 1st, 2025.

When a relationship breaks down irretrievably, divorce is often the result. There are many stages to go through. As well as addressing emotional and practical issues, there are also legal and financial aspects.

When a marriage breaks down, the parties involved experience many emotions. But in order to untangle your finances there are a number of practical steps you need to take before you can apply for a divorce. These include seeking legal advice, reviewing financial arrangements like how to divide the money or property, and making arrangements for any children.

When a relationship sadly breaks down, often it is children who suffer the greatest emotional impact. Whilst the parents are fighting over money, where to live and who owns what, priority needs to be given to the best interests and wellbeing of any children involved.

Protect your property and relationship with a cohabitation agreement. Learn how legal safeguards can help homeowners before marriage.