Family Law

Gabriella Kent, Family Law Solicitor based at Rothera Bray’s Nottingham office explores the concept of parental responsibility: who automatically has it, how to obtain it if you don’t, and how to handle disagreements that may arise when exercising it.

If you’re living with your partner but you’re not married or in a civil partnership, you might assume you have the same legal rights as a spouse, especially when it comes to the family home. But this is one of the biggest misconceptions in family law.

In the first article in our People Focus series, we’re excited to feature Associate Solicitor Charley Kelly. Charley is an integral part of our Family Law team and is based at our Leicester office.

One of the most challenging aspects of any separation is deciding who gets what, and how to make those decisions legally binding. Whether it’s the family home, pensions, savings, or other assets, reaching a fair financial settlement is crucial for moving forward with confidence and clarity.

With the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 – which governs marriage and divorce law in the UK and Wales – now 50 years old, a review has been commissioned. The review is to find out whether this legislation is still useful in helping the Courts and the Judiciary reach fair settlements for divorcing couples – or whether it’s time for an overhaul.

In recent years applications to Court by grandparents have become increasingly common. Sadly, when relationships break down, especially acrimoniously, it often affects who the children can spend time with.

With the family courts facing unrelenting backlogs due to the number of separating couples attempting to reach a settlement in court, in 2023 the government launched a consultation to determine whether mediation should be made compulsory for all ‘suitable low-level’ family court cases.

Our Family Law Solicitor Charley Kelly has become a new committee member for Resolution Leicestershire.

As some counties head into the Easter school break, our latest Child Care blog has advice on how divorced or separated parents can plan ahead to ensure smooth co-parenting during the school holidays.

Having gone through the cost, emotional stress and what can be a lengthy process to obtain a Final Order in respect of your finances following the breakdown of your relationship, the last situation you would wish to find yourself in is for your ex-partner to now not be complying with the terms of the sealed Order. In that situation what happens next and what are your options to find a resolution to get what you are legally entitled to?

Having a legal agreement such as a prenuptial, post nuptial or cohabitation agreement in place might not sound like the most romantic way of ensuring that your relationship goes the distance. However, having such an agreement in place is a practical approach and provides greater certainty of your financial outcomes if the relationship or marriage comes to an end.