Marrying or just living together can expose you to life changing financial consequences. Steps can be taken to manage the consequences by means of a pre-nuptial or cohabitation agreement. Without a well drafted and negotiated agreement the Court has unconstrained power to intervene in your financial affairs. 

Negotiating agreements is challenging. Clients are often under conflicting pressure. Their partner may be resistant but their family may insist. A wedding date may already be set and time may be short. We navigate clients through this challenging time so that their interests are protected and they emerge with dignity.

When a marriage breaks down, the law requires that the financial outcome is fair. Fairness is a subjective concept. This means that in any marriage the outcome has the potential to be negotiated or litigated to the advantage of one party or the other. 

The law in relation to unmarried relationships is especially complex. There is no such thing as a “common law” spouse. The Court’s powers are not the same as those that apply to married couples, but even so the facts of the relationship can give rise to constructive and resulting trusts and “proprietary estoppel”,  which can create significant rights to property. 

Where the parties have children, whether married or not, the Court has extensive powers to order financial provision for the benefit of minor children including for housing, school fees, and staff costs.  

Our objective is to achieve a fair outcome at the minimum cost of getting there. There are multiple pathways involving forms of non-court dispute resolution. Contested legal proceedings are the back-stop.  We will not use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but equally we will take decisive legal action where necessary. 

Relationship breakdown has tax consequences and impacts upon financial and investment decisions. We have access to a broad network of tax, accountancy,  investment management and other professional advisors whose expertise can be brought to bear as required.

The law is child-centric. Children have a right to a relationship with both parents provided it is safe.

Matters involving children are emotionally complex, so we advise with the utmost sensitivity. Where appropriate we support non-confrontational methods of dispute resolution. We have close links to a number of additional resources that you and your children may need including psychotherapists and family therapists, child inclusive mediators and behaviour and parenting specialists.

Where necessary we will guide you through court proceedings, including any necessary emergency action in order to keep you and your children safe. Ultimately, we will keep your children at the heart of the process.