At Donna Sandall Family Law, we provide expert legal advice and representation across all aspects of family and matrimonial law. Our tailored approach ensures that each client receives the support they need, delivered with professionalism and empathy. Whether you are navigating a complex divorce, making child arrangements, or seeking advice on financial settlements, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Getting divorced can be a difficult time for all concerned. We can support you through the whole process, making it as straight-forward and stress-free as possible. It may seem daunting, but with the right advice, it needn’t be.
On 6 April 2022, new no-fault divorce laws came into force. There is no longer a need for either party to assign blame on the other for the breakdown of their marriage. It was intended that “no-fault” divorces would allow couples to separate in a more amicable fashion, with less conflict, allowing them to focus their attention on the key issues such as financial arrangements, property and children.
The new Divorce Order consists of a Conditional Order which replaces the Decree Nisi and a Final Order in place of the Decree Absolute.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 also introduces a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of proceedings and application for Conditional Order. This provides couples with a meaningful period of reflection and the chance to reconsider. Where divorce is inevitable, it enables couples to cooperate and plan for the future.
Advice offered will cover the divorce process itself, timeframes and costs involved, and preparation of all court papers required for the process, filing these at court and taking you through to Final Order.
Where a marriage or relationship breaks down, the impact on a child from a separation can be huge and a major concern for any parent. We will strive to work towards a calm, sensible and positive outcome for the family unit.
Sadly, children often are in the middle when a relationship breaks down. There are a number of areas which we can assist with. These may include making decisions about where a child will live, or how often that child sees a parent who does not live in the home any longer. These are called Child Arrangement Orders. It may also concern whether a parent has or wishes to acquire parental responsibility.
It is always preferable for matters to be resolved without the need for court involvement. We can discuss with you the different options which are available and give you expert advice regarding each one – including likely costs.
Sometimes, certain issues will arise requiring a specific kind of court application. These are known as Specific Issue Applications, or Prohibited Steps Applications. They can cover events such as wanting to take a child on holiday where this can’t be agreed, or perhaps where a child is removed abroad by one parent without the consent of the other.
Financial matters connected to a relationship breakdown can feel overwhelming. It is understandable to feel worried about your short-term position as well as how your family’s future financial position will look.
Dealing with how matrimonial assets, such as the family home, are to be dealt with can be a daunting prospect for many people. We will support and guide you, offering options as to how a settlement can be achieved, perhaps without court involvement, if possible.
Whatever your problems, we can assist. We can help explore options for resolving a financial case and the costs associated with each pathway. Our team can draw up a Separation Agreement or Consent Order to reflect the settlement reached. We can also prepare and file all paperwork necessary for financial hearings and represent you through the court process.
These document the financial arrangements between parties either about to marry or those who have just married.
They deal with how finances and assets are to be divided should the marriage break down. They can protect and preserve assets (perhaps for children from a previous marriage) or serve to ring-fence previously acquired wealth for you.
Previously seen as unromantic, they are now considered to be the sensible way of dealing with the financial aspects of a marriage and are viewed as a sure way of saving time and costs in the future as they focus minds as to how finances are to be divided whilst the parties are communicating freely and positively.
Advice offered will cover the requirements for the drafting of a valid document – including the requirement for full financial disclosure, ensuring a lack of duress etc. We will also discuss timeframes and costs associated with either the drafting of a document, or the approval/amendment of an agreement received by you.
Dispelling the myth of the ‘common law husband and wife’ is still something which can be difficult to do. To avoid misunderstandings and to manage expectations, we can advise on the making of a Cohabitation Agreement, sometimes called a ‘Living Together Agreement’.
These can cover property, other capital assets, pensions and arrangements for the children. These are drawn up when the parties are in a relationship in anticipation of a situation where the relationship breaks down.
The document helps to regulate the arrangements for the family and family finances if the parties separate.
Advice offered will cover: the perception of a ‘Cohabitation Agreement’ by the courts and their legal status; the advantages and disadvantages of making such an agreement; the requirements for creating a document and the costs associated.
The reality is that people who simply live together do not have the same rights in law as those who are married. Neither of you have any financial claims against the other as of right. Living together does not give you legal status.
Cohabitation Agreements are legally binding and provide clarification on how certain assets are to be divided should the relationship fail. Similar to pre or post-nuptial agreements, they have many advantages.
Where a marriage breaks down, sometimes the primary focus of the parties is not to immediately enter into formal divorce proceedings but, instead, to reach an agreement over how finances and other assets will be divided.
This can be a daunting experience and we can offer guidance and expertise in helping you in this process.
A separating, married couple may wish to deal with financial aspects of their separation in advance of taking steps to commence divorce proceedings. A document called a Separation Agreement can be drawn up, which will deal with this and can cover a wide variety of issues – including arrangements for any children.
They are very useful documents as they will record the date on which you separated which may then be relevant in future divorce proceedings. They focus everyone’s minds with regard to a financial settlement, meaning that when the parties do divorce at a later stage, there will be no requirement to revisit the issue of finances as this will have been dealt with previously.
Our focus on family law ensures you receive the highest level of knowledge and experience.
Every family is unique, and so are our solutions - customised to meet your needs.
We handle every case with care, understanding, and professionalism.
Our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome, efficiently and effectively.
Whatever your family law needs, Donna Sandall Family Law is here to support you. Contact us today to arrange a consultation and let us help you find the right path forward.