Divorce & Separation Archives | Sills & Betteridge Solicitors

Family Mediation Week 18 - 22 January 2021 – helping separated families know which way to turn

More than any other time of the year, January is a month when families decide to separate. For most, this will be their first experience of separation, and they will start searching for help and advice about where to turn for help to resolve issues - who will the children live with? What will happen with money?

Everything you need to know about Mediation

If you’ve made the decision to separate or divorce, you might be wondering what first steps you could take to get through this difficult process as quickly and amicably as you can.

CHILD CONTACT AND THE SECOND NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

On Thursday 5th November, England will be placed into a second national lockdown. The first lockdown placed a huge strain on many separated families with confusion as to whether or not children could still pass between different households for the purposes of contact.

Appealing The Family Court's Decision Not To Return A Child To His Mother's Care

I was recently able to help my client Sarah to successfully appeal the decision of the Family Court by demonstrating that the wrong decision had been made about her son’s care.

Not returning your child after a visit - is it ever justified?

Cases from the higher Courts make it clear that a child should only be retained after contact if there are exceptional circumstances and some form of emergency situation which justifies the child not being returned to the parent with whom they normally live.

Proposed new Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill to end the ‘Blame Game’ for divorcing couples

The new Bill would reform the current divorce laws and, amongst other things, allow a divorcing couple to jointly apply for a divorce. This in particular would be a welcome change to reduce the conflict during the legal process, make it less traumatic, and encourage a common sense approach.