Blog Archives - Sharp Family Law

Separated but Not Divorced: Financial Issues

If your relationship has ended and you are still married but separated from your spouse, you need to be aware of the financial implications. You will be in a unique...

When you’re going through a divorce, you’re likely to be feeling concerned about your finances. If you own a company, you may wonder how you can protect it, and whether...

During a divorce, it is likely that a portion of your financial settlement will come from investments and savings. How these will be dealt with will depend on the circumstances,...

If you are researching divorce or civil partnership dissolution proceedings, or are currently in the process of obtaining a divorce, you may have frequently seen or heard the term ‘Form...

The breakdown of a marriage is often a complex and emotionally charged process to undertake, with significant aspects to address, including arrangements for children and agreeing to a voluntary divorce...

How Does High Net Worth Divorce Work?

High incomes and high value assets can make divorce particularly complicated. Deciding how those assets should be factored into a divorce settlement is rarely straightforward and the separating spouses may...

Can I change my consent order?

When a divorcing couple makes a consent order, it is to finalise a voluntary divorce financial settlement agreement made by them. The purpose of a financial consent order is to...

When Can You Annul a Marriage?

While it is often presumed that the only way to legally end a marriage is through divorce, this is not necessarily the case. If you have reason to assume that...

Relationship Issues

Unfortunately this time of year, with the stresses of the season, is synonymous with problems in relationships. Finding the right divorce lawyer is a crucial first step but it’s not...

Divorce can be a complex and expensive process with the potential for a lot of conflict. Having the right lawyer can make a significant difference and, following recent changes to...

During a divorce, people often make the mistake of assuming all assets will be divided equally between the two parties. However, this is not necessarily the case. When it comes...

How to Get Divorced

If your relationship has broken down irretrievably, you may be thinking about divorce. During this emotionally charged stage of your life, it can feel daunting and sometimes devastating to begin...

Getting divorced is an emotionally arduous time, and while you’re taking care of yourself it’s likely that you are also worried about the impact on your children. Divorce affects children...

What is Parental Alienation?

Parental Alienation is a highly contentious matter and is likely to be incredibly difficult to manage for any parent whose children are being manipulated to show hostility and resistance towards...

Clients can now meet with our specialist family lawyers in Bradford-on-Avon at our new office space on Silver Street. This is in addition to our existing offices in Bath and...

From April 2022, ‘no fault’ divorce will come into effect, removing the need for either spouse to take the blame or fault for the breakdown of the marriage. No fault...

A divorce or separation, no matter how amicable, may give rise to a number of difficult questions for you and your former partner, including what arrangements you are going to...

Who Will Your Children Live With?

It goes without saying that going through a divorce is an incredibly difficult experience. Not only will you be dealing with the emotional fallout of separating from your partner, but...

You may have previously heard of the term ‘spousal maintenance’ with regards to divorce and separation. In simple terms, spousal maintenance is financial maintenance paid by a husband or wife...

Deciding what will happen to the family home is one of the most emotive and contentious issues couples are likely to be faced with when they are going through a...

In Remembrance… How we can all support the Poppy Appeal In 2020

How do you usually support The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal each year? Do you buy and wear a poppy? Make a cash donation in the tin? With England in...

Coronavirus and Contact Arrangements: advice for parents

Amidst the chaos and confusion caused by the Coronavirus and the sudden increase in social restrictions, existing co-parenting arrangements are highly likely to be disrupted. What can separated parents do...

Further information on working practices during COVID-19

As the situation with the COVID-19 continues to develop and evolve, the safety, health and well-being of our clients and our team are paramount to Sharp Family Law. We are...

Our response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak

At Sharp Family Law, we feel a great responsibility for the role we play in the lives of our clients – even more so when we are all being more...

Female Same-sex Partnerships: understanding legal parental responsibility

No matter how a family is set up, we all want what’s best for our children. All parents can face emotional and practical difficulties on separation. However, it can sometimes...

Marriage Story: a Hollywood lesson in choosing the right lawyer

The holidays are a time when emotions can run high even in the happiest of households. So it means they can be hugely difficult for families that are experiencing relationship...

Top tips for a healthier relationship

Valentine’s Day – a celebration of love and relationships. On the surface it can simply seem a commercialised celebration of romance, with the annual pressure to buy the perfect card...

Will Behaviour Affect My Divorce Financial Settlement?

Unreasonable behaviour was the most common reason for opposite-sex couples divorcing in 2018, with 51.9% of wives and 36.8% of husbands petitioning or applying on this ground; it was also...

Sharp Family Law Recognised Among The Best

Sharp Family Law continues to build on its reputation as one of the best family law firms in Bath and Bristol. We were again recognized by Chambers in it’s UK...

My Children Don’t Want to Spend Time with Me – Is this Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation is a term often used by clients who are experiencing difficulties in the time and communication they are having with their children. Everyone appreciates that the breakdown of...

Chambers UK 2019 highlights the firm’s ‘pragmatic approach’ to family disputes

Sharp Family Law has been highlighted in the Chambers United Kingdom 2018-19 Guide for its work advising family law clients on alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including collaborative law and mediation....

From Custody to Child Arrangements: What You Need to Know

‘Custody’ has been the well-known term for separated parents for many years. However, in reality it no longer exists in England and Wales. In 2014 there was a radical shift...

3 Common Misconceptions of Divorce

If you are in the unfortunate position of getting divorced then, no doubt, you will already be aware that, suddenly, everyone you know (and even those you don’t!) becomes an...

The Myth of ‘Common Law Marriage’

A recent study carried out by The National Centre for Social Research – revealed that 46% of people in England and Wales believe that cohabiting couples form a ‘common law marriage’ that...

Legal 500 recognises the firm’s “extremely high level of service”

Sharp Family Law has been singled out by The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2018-19 Rankings Directory as providing an ‘extremely high level of service’. This builds on previous comments that...

Time to End the Blame Game

The Supreme Court released its ruling in the case of Owens v Owens yesterday. Mrs Owens was married to her husband for 40 years and applied for divorce on the ground...

Sharp Family Law recommended for ‘genuinely having its client’s interests at heart’

Sharp Family Law has been recommended by The Legal 500 for the third year in a row for its work as a family law practice in the South West. Our...

Protecting the Bank of Mum & Dad

Recent research showed that more than a quarter of UK mortgages are subsidised by the buyer’s parents – the so-called ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’. Enabling your children to get...

Will getting divorced harm my credit rating?

After all the stress of divorce, many people hope they can make a fresh start and get on with the rest of their lives. Even if you don’t feel you...

For richer, for poorer: does marriage affect your credit rating?

“Will my partner’s poor financial history harm mine?” “Will I become responsible for my partner’s old debts”? A common worry before getting married or moving in together is that you’ll end up sharing...

“A Rosie by any other name would smell as sweet” – How to Change your Child’s Name

Odds are that any proud parent has put a great deal of time and thought into deciding what their child will be known as. However, there are an increasing number...

Spot the difference – Civil Partnerships vs Marriages

In a recent decision, a UK Court has ruled against a heterosexual couple who wanted to enter into a civil partnership rather than marry. The couple brought their case on the grounds...

No need to fight it out… even at Court

Sometimes your dispute ends up in court, whether or not it was you who made the application. Should this happen, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a fight to...

Divorce across international borders

In our diverse and multicultural society, modern-day families are becoming increasingly international. And when a relationship does cross national borders, so can divorce or separation – bringing with it a specific...

The Secret of a Great Relationship… with your Lawyer

During a divorce or separation, your lawyer can end up being the most frequently dialled number on your phone. So not only is it a new relationship forged at a...

50 Ways to Leave your Lover?

Well, the truth is, if we’re talking about divorce in the UK there are only five. And if a couple wants to fast track the process, then there are really...

Irreconcilable differences: Divorce and avoiding the blame game

Many couples come to a mutual decision to separate – and are disappointed to learn they can’t divorce on the grounds of ‘irreconcilable differences’. What, then, can they do to...

Child Arrangements – Putting the focus on the Needs of the Child

The Child Arrangements Programme, rather silently rolled out in April 2014, introduced the most radical changes to the way that disputes over children upon separation and divorce are dealt with...

Do I need a solicitor to handle my divorce?

Divorce is stressful, whether you are separating amicably or not. For most people, divorce is an incredibly emotional time and having the additional pressure of trying to understand and navigate...

Take a breath… pause for thought… and consider your options

A mild mother of two, with a wry smile, shared details with me of a frenzied attack on her husband’s clothes the previous evening upon discovery of his adulterous affair....

Divorce: a Challenge to face – not a War to win

Facing a divorce is hard. It is mentally and physically taxing. You don’t sleep. You don’t eat. You worry about how life is going to be in the future, yet...

Common Divorce Myths

There are some common misconceptions which often stop people from seeking legal advice when faced with divorce: 1. I can’t get a divorce – my spouse will never agree. Getting the...

Divorce does not have to be a financial minefield

For many couples that make the decision to divorce, the financial practicalities of ending a relationship are almost as painful as the emotional impact. However, divorce, with all its complexities...

How do I find the right divorce solicitor for me?

The prospect of divorce can be daunting, but what lays ahead, the decisions that need to be made and the process to be taken need not be difficult with the...

How do I minimise the impact of separation?

The children have long since gone back to school and you reflect on the Summer with the family and in particular how you felt. No better, you conclude. You loved...

None of your business!

Divorcing couples frequently come to blows when considering the settlement of any business interests. Often a business interest is considered to be a personal attribute and certainly not something to...

Putting the kids first: family-friendly financial settlements

When separating and divorcing, providing for your children is not just an emotional issue, but a financial one. From school fees to swimming classes, who will pay for what needs...

Is Johnny Depp now wishing for a pre-nup?

The breakdown of the marriage between Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard has been much in the news recently for various reasons. One of the main issues being repeated is...

They Started To Fight When the Money Got Tight

The value of Sandy and Rob’s house had fallen. The prospect of acquiring one let alone two alternative homes had evaporated. Rob feared that, along with the marriage, he may...

Helpful Information could Save Tax on Divorce

An inheritance had enabled Karen and Mike to buy a second home – a weekend apartment in Bath. It proved to be a perfect bolt hole for Mike to spend...

Parental Alienation

“She would love me to disappear from our son’s life. I have been resisting this but any contact with him has been very much on her terms and rules“…. a...

Guidance for Parents – who are or may become involved in the Family Courts

Prepared by His Honour Judge Coleridge, issued on behalf of all Family Judges and Family Magistrates who conduct family proceedings in the South West of England and promoted by District...

How can you have an Amicable Divorce – Whilst blaming your spouse for the breakup?

Celebrities are often keen to maintain that their divorces and clean, blameless and most of all amicable. However, often newspapers report that the divorce papers filed in the amicable break-up...

How can You Manage the Cost of Your Divorce? – Three Steps to Ease the Burden

As 120,000 or so married couples in England & Wales discover every year, breaking up is hard to do. With the average cost of a litigious divorce being put at...

Divorce can Stretch Waistlines as well as Finite Resources

BBC News reported in recent years that both marriage and divorce can trigger weight gain. Newly-divorced women and men had between 21% and 22% increased risk of a small weight...

A civilised divorce is worth fighting for…

Few people realise that, actually, they don’t have to engage in a bitter battle at court to get divorced and, in fact, most cases settle out of court anyway. But...

The Big Move – Living Together

This year, Chris and Rachel each made a big, exciting decision – to move in with their respective partners for the first time. Chris had worked tirelessly to save up...

Tips for a Better Outcome in Divorce this New Year

T’is the time for New Year resolutions. Our perennial attempt to lose weight at a gym, pay off debt, quit smoking, become organised and spend less time at work. For...

Must Children Be in Two Places at Once This Christmas

“The contact schedule has it that our 3 year old son stays with me on a Tuesday and Thursday night. So he should be with me on the Thursday night...

Four Strategies for a Smart Divorce

The decision to separate and divorce is nearly always distressing, challenging and sad. Difficult transitions must be made, emotions managed, children co-parented and financial realities addressed. All happening at a...

“Time to Talk this Bank Holiday Weekend”

After a busy week, a Bank Holiday Weekend provides a good opportunity for couples and families to get away and spend time together. But motorists stuck in traffic and miserable...

How Collaborative Law helps manage Emotions in Divorce

Many couples who experience the challenge of divorce or separation believe that it’s just the legalities that need to be managed and resolved. Most people going through divorce are aware...

“Minimising the Destruction of Divorce for Children”

Effective Co-Parenting Tips Co-parenting is often viewed as the most difficult aspect of a divorce or separation. Particularly, if there are still some emotional hurdles to overcome. However, if approached...

“Christmas Eve with Dad? Christmas Day with Mum?”

Standing in line at a supermarket checkout in Bath the other day, I overheard two teenage sisters and a friend discuss Christmas. It wasn’t a conversation filled with joy or...

“In Remembrance of … Families in Bath & Bristol”

Remembrance Sunday events were held today all over the country to honour the UK’s war dead. For some, with past or present personal experience of lost friends or colleagues, it...

“New Year Resolution – To Resolve Conflict with Your Ex Spouse”

‘Tis the time for New Year’s resolutions. Our perennial attempt to lose weight, pay off debt, quit smoking, become organised and spend less time at work. For divorcing and divorced...

“Walk Away into Conflict – Collaborative Law offers an Alternative”

Walking away from an argument can be a warning sign of divorce. This is the finding of researchers at the University of Michigan after evaluating how 373 couples resolved conflicts.After...

“Christmas Actually”

Screens will be filled once again this Christmas with stories of love in all its various guises and on a multitude of levels. The 2003 Christmas film “Love Actually” followed...

“Guidance for Parents – from the Family Courts on Helping Your Children”

During my years of practice as a family and divorce solicitor in Bath and Bristol, I have seen many parents whose greatest concern was how a divorce would affect their...

“How could a Divorced Non-Resident Parent be more involved in a Child’s life?”

An absent father of a six year old child wrote to me recently – “I want to be involved as much as possible in my son’s life. I’m happy to...

“Is There a Better Way to Divorce?”

There may not be an alternative to divorce but there is an alternative to the way you divorce Research on the effects of divorce on children has shown that it...

How do you Prove Unreasonable Behaviour AND have an Amicable Divorce?

Pop singer, Cheryl Cole’s divorce from her England football husband Ashley would be “clean, swift, amicable and smooth” reported The Sun Newspaper at the end of May. And yet the divorce papers...

Come Fly with Me – Do the Kids Go Too: Removal of Children from England & Wales

The summer holidays encourage many of us to travel abroad, find a getaway and soak up the sun for a week or two with the family. But for some the trip abroad...

Let’s have Family Fun in the Sun this Summer – Tips for Separated Parents

Two weeks in the sun sounds fun with the family but can represent a challenge for many separated and divorced parents. Divorce Court Orders frequently provide contact for the annual...

The Way you Divorce could Save your Business

Rob was a successful entrepreneur who had built up a business in Bath during the marriage. He came to see me as his marriage of 10 years to Sarah had...

A Client’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce – Putting Your Family First

“Our children aged 16 & 14 were reassured by seeing us working together to resolve our issues.” – “It really was by far the best thing we could have done....

The Challenge of Co-Parenting: The Top Three Strategies

Parenting at any time can be a challenging and complicated process. Parenting following divorce or separation can be even more difficult. The prospect of Co-parenting with the ex may seem...

It Takes Two – To Get Co-parenting after Divorce

After trying to make a 12 year marriage work that included attending sessions at Relate and individual counselling, Liz realised it was a lost cause and wanted a divorce. With that she also wanted her husband...

Creative Solutions or Restrictive Divorce Court Orders

Amongst the 10 Bizarre Divorce Settlements Mental_Floss reminded us that to help foot the bill for his 1977 divorce from Anna Gordy, the singer Marvin Gaye agreed to record a new album...

Let’s Keep Christmas a Family Affair

“I share Christmas. So on Christmas Eve I am with my mum, then with my dad on Christmas Day. Then the other Christmas I go to my dad’s on Christmas...

How to Reduce the Effects of Divorce on Your Health

Those amongst us who are divorced or widowed could suffer 20% more chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer than those who are married. This statistic comes...

The statistics are staggering. One quarter of children in the UK will be involved in their parent’s divorce during their childhood. Each year that involves between 80,000 and 150,000 children...

Seven Slip Ups to Avoid on Separation & Divorce

Many separating and divorcing couples are decent, well-meaning and intelligent individuals making a very difficult transition in their lives. They find it hard to manage their emotions, co-parent the children...

How Do I Tell Our Children We are Divorcing?

A divorce may have been contemplated for a while; it’s been on the cards and an unspoken probability. Your children may have sensed that not all was well between their...

Putting Children First When a Marriage Comes Apart

The telephone call was typical of many that I receive as a divorce lawyer at Sharp Family Law based in Bath, UK. After 12 years of marriage and a disastrous...

For Better not Worse – A Collaborative Divorce

You are not alone, if you are thinking of getting divorced. Sadly, around 150,000 people get divorced every year and almost 40% of all marriages end in divorce in England...