Legal Resources and News

Men are not automatically prejudiced by the legal system on divorce. However, most men will have heard horror stories about women getting the lion share of the money and children’s time. This is often where men have accepted the role of main breadwinner within the household. For most men, the steps they take immediately after the decision to separate is crucial in determining how much time they will spend with their children and the financial cost to them.

Parents often decide the arrangements for child maintenance payments between themselves, with payment usually made on a monthly basis. Alternatively, if this is not possible, they can apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS and for those of you old enough this is formerly the CSA) or obtain a court order. Even with a court order in place, after 12 months from the date of the order, either parent can make an application to the CMS.

What happens to the Engagement and Wedding Rings when a relationship breaks down?

Senior Associate, Heidi Fleming, explains:

Clients often ask me what will happen to their engagement ring on separation where they are unmarried and to their wedding rings on divorce.

The bitterest disputes are those which usually could have been avoided easily by taking the right steps at the right time.

This includes disputes about property between people who lived together in a relationship. This often relates to property which they jointly occupied but which, may be registered in the name of only one of them. 

A dog, cat or any much loved family pet can be one of the most highly sought after issues to debate when reaching financial settlement on separation. The family pet is often one of the most important members of the family. Positions can be polarised on who the trusted family dog should live with.