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A married couple, by virtue of the marriage, is, in principle, entitled to make financial claims against the other in the event of a divorce. It is a common misconception that matrimonial financial claims between married couples automatically end upon divorce. This is not the case, however, and matrimonial financial matters, including assets, pensions and income are dealt with separately to the plain divorce.

There is a common misconception that prenups are only available to and only beneficial for the very wealthy and celebrities. This is incorrect, however, and there are many reasons why a prenup may be beneficial for any couple considering entering into marriage or civil partnership.

In the process of separating from the parent of your child, you may wonder who the child should live with. In the absence of an agreement between the parents, the Court may decide who the child should live with on the basis of what would be in the child’s best interests.

A Separation Agreement is a formal written document between a separated couple, which can be used by married and unmarried partners. The objective of a Separation Agreement is to formally address and stipulate the terms of division of shared assets and responsibilities, any financial arrangements and matters relating to shared child care upon separation. This separation can be a trial separation prior to divorce, or a separation of cohabitating partners.

Below we address the rules around one of the most common approaches to dealing with pensions upon divorce – the Pension Sharing Orders.

Following the public divorce of Moroccan football player Achraf Hakimi and his wife Hiba Abouk, much attention has been drawn to the way in which Hakimi managed his finances throughout his career and marriage. Unbeknownst to his wife, Hakimi had all his assets put into his mother’s name and accounts. This means that his salary was paid into his mother’s bank account, the properties he purchased were registered in his mother’s name and any investments made were in his mother’s name.

Surrogacy has become an increasingly prevalent and prominent road to parenthood for those who seek an alternative to traditional conception. Despite its many challenges, surrogacy is becoming much more readily available and its normalisation within modern day society is noticeable. Surrogacy has become one of the most sought after options for assisted reproduction, along with as IVF and adoption, for those struggling to conceive naturally. The process is increasing in popularity with those in same sex relationships, those in heterosexual relationships unable to conceive and single women unable to find a lifelong partner.

A MIAM is a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting. The purpose of a MIAM is to provide information about mediation and to assess whether mediation is a suitable way for the parties to reach an agreement, given the circumstances of a particular case. Each party will attend a consultation, on their own, and will have the opportunity to tell the mediator about any issues they wish to resolve through mediation. Information on what to expect from the mediation process will be provided and the mediator will assess suitability based on the information given. If both parties then agree to engage in mediation, a joint session can be arranged.