Following their introduction in 2005, well over 120,000 people have entered into a civil partnership. However, the latest statistics show a considerable rise in the number of gay couples seeking a dissolution to their civil partnership. So, is the honeymoon period coming to an end?

Recent research shows that during the last year alone there was a 20 per cent rise in the number of gay couples seeking to dissolve their civil partnerships, only 8 years after their introduction.

Statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that there were 794 dissolutions for the year 2012, of which 60 per cent were between lesbian couples. More...

MISTAKE 1: Not spending enough time with your children

Whether you are happily married, about to divorce or already separated, spending as much time as you can with your children will do nothing but benefit them (and you). This can be anything from helping with homework, eating dinner together, fixing a bike tyre, helping them clean their room, taking them to a medical appointment, shopping for their needs etc. Statistics show that children who have a lot of time with both parents excel academically, socially and personally. If you wind up in a custody contest, your track record of constant contact may save you in court.
 
MISTAKE 2: Leaving the marital home More...

“A Surname given to a child at birth is not simply a name plucked out of the air.  It is a biological label that tells the world at large that the blood of the name flows in its veins” Lord Jauncey in Dawson .v. Wearmouth.

Are you considering changing your child’s surname?

The legal process of changing a child’s surname requires the involvement and consent of anyone with Parental Responsibility for the child.

Separated or divorced parents are advised to contact the other parent and request their consent to the changing of the child’s surname in writing. Mediation could be considered as an option for some parents.

When / If both parents consent to the change of surname, the process can be completed by deed pole. The application for the enrolment of the deed poll must then be supported by the consent in writing of every person with parental responsibility. Our solicitors can help with this for a fixed free. More...

Whether it’s a sad indictment of relationships today or a sign that the stigma associated with divorce is on the wane, but divorce rates, particularly amongst older couples, are on the up. Based on the most recent figures, 39 % of those couples who marry today will divorce.     

When a marriage does end in divorce, it is a common gripe of fathers that they do not feel their rights are properly protected in law. And to an extent they’re right, depending on whether the parent has Parental Responsibility for the children or not. Parental Responsibility determines your duty of care for your child and your obligation to protect them.

In divorce cases, the vast majority of fathers are desperate to remain as actively involved in the upbringing of their children as they can once the divorce has been settled. This can cause much frustration and leads fathers doubting their rights and responsibilities.  More...

Helen Perkins, Associate Solicitor in our Family Department based in our Swansea solicitor Office provides her thoughts and advice about how people should manage their social media accounts during a separation or divorce.

Social media is now a part of most people’s everyday lives, be it on a personal or professional basis.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram to name just a few of the more popular social media websites are used by millions of people around the world. For the vast majority of their users, these platforms provide a great way to share their news, promotions, post photos and keep in touch with family and friends.

Whilst it provides a lot of joy for some, it can have a negative impact if you are in the process of separating or going through a divorce. In some instances, it can even play a part in the divorce itself!! More...