Separation

Husband wins appeal against claim made 18yrs after divorce

Husband wins appeal against claim made 18yrs after divorce

The Court of Appeal has found in favour of the man who was the subject of a claim for maintenance from the ex-wife he divorced 18 years previously. Dale Vince and... Read more

Bitter public split ends with 65 sec divorce

It was the separation that showed the danger of taking to social media sites to get at your ex, yet despite being said to be 'at war', the divorce of... Read more

Second marriages less likely to end in divorce

A new report by the Marriage Foundation suggests that second marriages are less likely to end in divorce than those couples tying the knot for the first time. Figures from the... Read more

Ex-wife claims maintenance 20yrs after divorce

A former new age traveller who was penniless when he divorced his wife in 1992 is now facing a maintenance claim 20 years later, having now become a multi-millionaire. Dale Vince,... Read more

Landmark prenuptial agreement decision in US

Prenuptial agreements have only recently been recognised by the UK courts, so there is to date very little case law on how the courts view them, and the circumstances that... Read more

Figures show increase in domestic violence

New figures released by the Citizens Advice Bureaux indicate an 11 per cent increase in the number of people advising that they have suffered domestic violence. In the last three months... Read more

Northern Ireland man tricked wife into divorce

A bizarre case before the Belfast High Court in Northern Ireland involved a wife who was unaware that her husband had divorced her. The husband, who cannot be named, successfully obtained... Read more

Figures reveal extent of unpaid child maintenance

New figures released by the Child Support Agency have revealed that unpaid child maintenance in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK totalled £3.837billion as of December 2012. In the... Read more

£15m settlement ends 4 year divorce dispute

The eventful 4 year divorce dispute between multimillionaire Vivian Imerman, often called 'The Man from Del Monte', and his wife Lisa Tchenguiz has finally come to an end, after the... Read more

10 year marriage ends over map-reading fight

A man has lost his legal attempt to save his marriage after the court granted his wife a decree nisi on the basis of an argument they had about her... Read more

Billionaire's son regrets divorce war via Twitter

The divorce of Ben Goldsmith, aged 32, and Kate Rothschild, aged 30, has become the sample case of what can happen when an acrimonious divorce is mixed together with social... Read more

Survey says hiding assets common during divorce

An online survey carried out by Onepoll suggests that couples attempt to hide their assets in nearly a quarter of all divorces in Northern Ireland and the rest of the... Read more

Unemployment and divorce factors behind debt

Debt charity StepChange say that two of the factors behind the debt problems of the callers who contact them are unemployment and divorce. Of the just over 22,000 calls from adults... Read more

Half of divorces occur in first 10 yrs of marriage

A half of all divorces in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK involve couples who have been married ten years or less, according to a new study. After ten... Read more

Fifth divorce most expensive for Lord

The fifth wife of Lord Northampton is to receive a £17million divorce settlement, after their 20-year marriage ended in separation. The Lord's marriage to Lady Pamela Northampton was his longest, but... Read more

Divorce cash struggle results in jail term

A six month prison term has been handed to property dealer Scot Young by the High Court, who failed to provide details of his finances to explain the disappearance of... Read more

Claim that Facebook change will cause divorces

With the word 'Facebook' already appearing in one in three divorce petitions in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, according to research by Divorce-Online, the same company is... Read more

Husband deceived over children wins damages

A man who was tricked into believing that the two children he helped raise until they were teenagers where his has been awarded £25,000 damages after he sued his ex-wife. Factory... Read more

£2.5million per month divorce settlement

January is traditionally the month of the year with the highest rate of divorce in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, which brings with it complicated issues of... Read more

Why do divorces increase after Christmas?

Each year in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK there is a noticeable increase in the number of divorces in the weeks following Christmas, but what is it... Read more

Majority of people say divorce is too easy

Ahead of the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report on divorce a separate survey suggests that the majority of adults believe it is too easy to get divorced, and... Read more

Charity says system is ignoring teen fathers

Teen fathers are being excluded from the lives of their children according to a new report produced by Barnardo's and Family Strategic Partnership 2012 group - which as well as... Read more

Hotel owner loses bid to cut wifes divorce payout

Multimillionaire hotel owner Andrew Davies has lost his bid to reduce the £2.7million divorce settlement awarded to his ex-wife. Mr and Mrs Davies had created a successful hotel business, but Mr... Read more

Couple spend £1.3million in divorce court battle

A divorcing couple has been criticised by three Court of Appeal judges after running up a combined legal bill on divorce solicitors and court proceedings totalling £1.3million. Mohammed Salim Alyami, aged... Read more

Third of UK divorces cite facebook

A third of divorce petitions in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK cite use of the social media site Facebook as a contributing factor to the breakdown of... Read more

Plan to cut legal aid in NI civil cases

Justice Minister David Ford has outlined proposals to cut legal aid paid to barristers and solicitors in civil cases in Northern Ireland. Family law cases including divorce and child custody hearings... Read more

Pensions only feature in 15pc of divorce settlements

New figures suggest that pensions are only discussed as part of 15 per cent of divorce settlements in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. In the eighth annual Scottish... Read more

Women close to divorce work longer hours

New research suggests that women who feel they are at risk of divorce work longer hours to protect themselves from the fallout of a marriage separation. The research was published by... Read more

Husband loses bankruptcy plea to cancel divorce debt

Alexander McRoberts, aged 54, has lost his plea to have his divorce debt cancelled after being discharged from bankruptcy. Mr McRoberts divorced his wife in 2003 and she was awarded the... Read more

Divorce case ruling protects company assets

The Court of Appeal in England has reached a decision in a divorce case that could have huge implications for future divorcing couples in England and Wales if the line... Read more

How volatile divorces are helping the tax man

It seems that the old adage that 'no-one wins in a divorce' may have to be amended, as the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is regularly benefiting from bitter separations,... Read more

Jail for fraud to lower divorce settlement

A man has been given an 18 month prison sentence for committing fraud and perjury in an attempt to deceive the divorce court about his assets, and thereby reduce the... Read more

Is recession to thank for lower divorce rate?

More couples are choosing not to divorce because of the costs involved, according to a specialist in divorce finance. Graham Campbell told the Telegraph that prior to the recession a third... Read more

Mother told to allow child contact or lose them

The High Court in England and Wales has ruled that a mother intentionally prevented the father of her children from having regular contact with them, and has given her one... Read more

Equal amount of cohabiting and married parents

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the number of cohabiting couples with children has risen to equal the number of married couples with children for the... Read more

Half of couples target conflict-free divorce

A new survey by Resolution has revealed that 53% of couples would work to ensure their divorce passed with minimal conflict as a matter of priority, and revealed that financial... Read more

Divorcing couple exhaust assets on legal action

A judge has criticised a divorcing couple who managed to squander most of their significant fortune in legal fees. Anna-Marie Harvey Kavanagh and Giles Kavanagh are both practising solicitors, and during... Read more

Law Society says shared parenting plans 'flawed'

The Law Society in England has said that the government's proposals to amend the Children Act 1989 legislation to promote cooperative parenting is "seriously flawed", though welcomes the intention behind... Read more

One in three divorces over household chores

A survey carried out by a household and cleaning products manufacturer, Vileda, suggests that one in three separations in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are connected to... Read more

Research on role of technology in divorce

While some couples who divorce are using technology to improve their relationship with their ex-spouse, others are using it to continue their feud into new forums according to research by... Read more

Relationships threatened with financial worries

Fears of an increase in divorce cases have been raised with the news that increasing financial troubles as a result of the ongoing credit crunch could strain relationships this year.Research... Read more

NI man fined for bigamy

In news that may be of interest to solicitors in Northern Ireland dealing with family law, a man from the region has been fined after admitting that he committed bigamy.Louis... Read more

Divorced parents 'need to consider the children'

Divorced couples should ensure they are able to put their differences aside for important family gatherings such as weddings and graduations, a family solicitor has said.Writing on her law blog,... Read more

New divorce rights for Muslim women

Muslim women in the UK are to be given increased rights regarding divorce under Sharia law and negotiated between Islamic organisations and clerics.Women and men will be given more equal... Read more

'Lower house prices mean lower divorce rates'

A reduction in the value of properties may mean a slowing in the level of divorces taking place in Britain and Northern Ireland, according to a new survey.Savills Research found... Read more

Charity launches anti-domestic violence campaign

Anti-domestic abuse charity Refuge has launched a campaign intended to warn people about the early warning signs of domestic abuse.Research from Refuge has shown 87 per cent of women were... Read more

'Consider the implications of divorce'

Parents in Northern Ireland are being urged to consider the consequences of divorce on their children.Family solicitor and blogger Diane Benussi said on the Benussi blog that statistically, divorce can... Read more

Divorce book runs to second edition

A book explaining divorce law for those considering going through the process has proved so popular it is running to a second edition, it has been reported.The Coventry Telegraph explained... Read more

War 'causing divorce and domestic abuse'

Long deployments in war zones are causing disputes between partners and provoking domestic violence in the US, it has been claimed.According to divorce lawyers in the country, the phenomenon, which... Read more

Settlements may be reassessed in light of crunch

The circumstances of the credit crunch may bring couples in Northern Ireland back to their solicitors to reassess financial settlements, the Times has reported.According to the newspaper, family law solicitor... Read more

Family court 'concerns' revealed

The Times's campaign against 'secrecy' in family courts has provoked a reaction that illustrates this is a "vital debate", the newspaper has claimed.According to the newspaper, the rules, which ensure... Read more

Divorce 'does not have to be painful'

The process of getting divorced from a partner does not necessarily need to be painful, according to a family solicitor.Nicola Walker told the Birmingham Post that while divorces are popularly... Read more

Dads "driven to distraction" over custody rights

Fathers in the UK and Northern Ireland are too concerned about not getting enough time with their children after a divorce, a family lawyer has claimed.According to Diane Benussi, fathers... Read more

Consult solicitors in NI for civil partnership 'divorce'

The laws governing dissolution - or 'divorce' - in a civil partnership are not quite the same as those for married couples and as such it is essential to consult... Read more

Civil partnership split warning

People considering entering into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland should consult solicitors and plan carefully before taking the vows, it has been advised.According to the Law Society, entering into... Read more

Northern Ireland divorce rate 'hits new high'

The number of couples in Northern Ireland choosing to consult solicitors and divorce hit an all-time high in 2007.Statistics released by the government have shown that the number of couples... Read more

Parents 'need to communicate with children during divorce'

In the course of and after a divorce, parents and solicitors need to explain and communicate with any children, it has been claimed.Writing for Mondaq, solicitor Donal Quinn advised parents... Read more

Conservatives propose divorce counselling centres

The Conservative party has proposed the introduction of Australian-style family relationship centres to help counsel unhappy couples, it has been reported.According to the Times, David Cameron perceives the centres as... Read more

Assets splits 'biggest divorce issue'

Dividing up assets is the "significant issue" needed to define divorce law, it has been claimed.Writing in the Times, lawyer Joe Vaitilingham said that while examining the legal status of... Read more

MPs recommend education on domestic violence

The all-party home affairs select committee has recommended that children in both primary and secondary school be taught about domestic violence and forced marriage.According to their report, the committee said... Read more

Legally-binding pre-nups 'would stop "fat" payouts'

A solicitor has said that people wishing to divorce their wealthy partners may no longer be able to expect "fat" payouts for doing so.Speaking to BBC Two's Working Lunch, family... Read more

Officers 'to focus on domestic violence'

Police officers in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland have revealed that one of their main priorities for the year will be cutting domestic violence, the Antrim Times reports.According to... Read more

UK 'divorce fair' for splitting couples

Couples from all over the UK, including Northern Ireland, who plan to divorce are being invited to the country's first 'divorce fair'.Solicitors, counsellors and financial advisors will all be on... Read more

'Increased confidence' for Northern Ireland's domestic violence sufferers

Domestic abuse sufferers in Northern Ireland are increasing in confidence and becoming more willing to come forward to the police, it has been claimed.Police domestic violence specialist Angela McBride told... Read more

New anti-domestic violence campaign in Northern Ireland

A councillor in Buncrana has launched a campaign in a bid to wipe out domestic violence in the area, according to the Derry Journal.Darren Lalor has launched a postcard campaign... Read more

Domestic violence 'increased by smoking ban'

The smoking ban and cheap alcohol in supermarkets could be fuelling domestic violence, according to a British police chief.Chief Superintendent Peter White claims that the cheap price of alcohol in... Read more

Mothers recover financially faster from divorce

While solicitors will note that women in Belfast and Northern Ireland who choose to divorce are usually much worse off financially, mothers may be recovering faster than they used to.Although... Read more

Suspicious spouses engage spies

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are seeing an increase in the number of clients who use private detectives to spy on the partner they are looking to divorce.According to... Read more

Absentee parents owe £71m

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland have had to administrate record numbers of separations and divorces in the past year, and as such more maintenance payments for children have been... Read more

Northern Ireland sees D-Day

January 8th saw a record number of couples getting divorced, with solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland coping with their busiest day of the year for partners splitting up.Solicitors in... Read more

Affairs account for half of NI divorces

Affairs are the cause of half of all divorces that solicitors in Northern Ireland deal with, a higher proportion than in the rest of the UK.While only 27 per cent... Read more

Domestic violence packs a bigger punch

Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland have to deal with more cases of domestic violence than ever - and the problem is becoming so large that increasing numbers of women... Read more

NI pilots panic rooms

Solicitors in Northern Ireland may see many cases of domestic violence averted as the province is to trial the use of 'panic rooms'.As shown in the film of the same... Read more

New child maintenance system looks promising

The latest figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions show early signs that the new system of securing child maintenance payments may be working.With an increase in population,... Read more

Judge calls for assets split review

Solicitors could see a change in divorce law after the most senior family judge in Britain and Northern Ireland has said that the law on assets splits should be reviewed.Sir... Read more

Children could benefit from cohabitee laws

Solicitors have said that children of unmarried couples who separate could benefit from proposed changes to the law, which would allow cohabitees in Britain and Northern Ireland similar legal status... Read more

Cohabitees 'should' enjoy new rights

The Law Commission has recommended that people who have cohabited and then split up should be given the same rights as married couples who divorce.If implemented, it could mean that... Read more

Divorcee must pay for ex's debts

In the second case of its kind, divorcee Vivienne Avis may be forced to sell the home she has lived in for over 20 years due to the bankruptcy of... Read more

Love not legally binding

With the trend for people in love to live together and even have children without being married increasing, it is vital that people get their financial arrangements sorted out through... Read more

Children should be in on proceedings

Lord Justice Wilson, a senior judge in family law who sits in the Court of Appeal, has said that children should be included in legal proceedings so they can understand... Read more

DWP to enforce maintenance payments

With solicitors in Britain and Northern Ireland having to deal with an ever-increasing number of divorces, new legislation may mean that separated parents do not have to chase each other... Read more

Improvements to custody service that is failing fathers

Judges are being given new powers to impose community service orders and fines when contact orders are breached by resident parents in custody cases.From October 2007 the new legislation will... Read more