Family matters

Information on family issues including civil partnerships, partnership breakdown and deaths.

Civil partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into operation on 5 December 2005 and enables a same-sex couple to register as civil partners of each other.

Making an Inheritance Act claim to challenge a will or the Rules of Intestacy

Generally speaking, we are all free to dispose of our assets as we want to. However, the law does provide protection for people who have been financially dependant on the deceased. This protection comes in the shape of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; known as the Inheritance Act.

Relationship breakdown - orders for financial provision

Issues relating to shared assets (eg the matrimonial home) and ongoing financial arrangements eg maintenance for children are possibly the most complex aspect of any divorce settlement.

Sale of goods claims

The UK law on sale of goods has evolved over many years and is now set out in a series of statutes.

Sharing property with the elderly

What to do when someone dies

Helping your children buy a home

Many parents seeing their children struggle to buy a house – either through lack of capital for a deposit, or the inability to meet monthly mortgage payments – will want to help.

Non-domiciled individuals

An introduction to the taxation in the UK of income arising outside the UK for non UK domiciled individuals.

Relationship breakdown – orders relating to pensions

A pension is a future asset of a party as well as a future source of income, and as such will be taken into account in a financial settlement.

Relationship breakdown - divorce procedure

From April 6 2011 all separating couples will have to at least show that they have been in contact with an accredited mediator and have considered how mediation might work for them. If, having considered mediation, they reject the option, then they will still have the option of taking the matter to court.

The latest news

20 Feb 2020

The problem of knotweed

One of the first documents sent to a property seller by their conveyancing solicitor is the Property Information Form.

20 Feb 2020

Snoring - a sackable offence?

A hotel night porter was found to be sleeping on the job.

20 Feb 2020

Flood risk

As many homeowners will confirm, a flooded property can be devastating.

Accessibility links

Family matters

The latest news

The problem of knotweed

Snoring - a sackable offence?

Flood risk