There’s no doubt that pets have always been important in any family dynamic, but recently, people are spending both more and more time with and money on their pets, with many owners considering them to be on the same level as their children – but...
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The situation in Syria has undergone a significant and sudden change. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has collapsed. The situation regarding returning to Syria is complex and fraught with uncertainties, even after the fall of the Assad regime. If you...
Child abduction from the UK to countries of conflict has been a growing concern over the past years. This has become a greater concern following the political challenges in Syria, and the overthrow of the government. Many now view Syria as a free country,...
This is the Japanese version. If you would like the English version you can view it here . ...
It is well known that Japan remains one of the only countries in the world to have maintained exclusive child custody. This means that when a couple in Japan separates, only one parent is granted sole custody of the child/ren. Sole custody is usually granted...
The term ‘child abduction’ often has very sinister connotations and more usually is associated with a stranger taking a child. In reality, abduction often carried out by one of the child’s parents who has parental responsibility. A...
Stay-at-home mums can feel particularly vulnerable during a divorce. There can be a lot of uncertainty about their rights and how their needs will be met following the end of their marriage, as well as how their children’s needs will be accounted for....
Recently I have had an interesting discussion with a good friend and colleague regarding stepparents, their role, how they are seen and what they can be called by their stepchildren. It’s always useful to have conversations where differing views can be...
A1 Properties (Sunderland) Ltd v Tudor Studios RTM Company Ltd [2024] UKSC 27 Judgment in the second ever “leapfrog” appeal from the Upper Tribunal to the UK Supreme Court has been handed down on 16th August 2024.. Brethertons LLP were...
Within English Law important decisions regarding a child’s upbringing must be consulted with both parents who hold parental responsibility. Parental Responsibility is defined as "all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority...
Who gets what in a divorce is, understandably, one of the first things people will consider if their marriage has come to an end. The outcome can make a huge difference in your financial security and quality of life post-marriage, so it makes sense that this...
Divorce is one of the most disruptive life events a person can go through. If you are facing the prospect of having to sell your home and move as a result of divorce, this can make things even more difficult. Selling a house during a divorce can be a very...
When a person dies, there will also be a person who is responsible for their estate. This person may be an executor appointed through a Will or an administrator for the estate under the intestacy rules. Whether you are an executor or an administrator you...
Brethertons are thrilled that Partner in Property Litigation , Emma Bush , has been awarded Professional of the Year at the Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards 2024. The Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards, celebrated Excellence in the...
There are various reasons as to why a parent may wish to move away and relocate with their child. For example, they could have a new job, or they might want to be closer to a family support network or to find or leave a relationship. Often, in these cases...
Unfortunately, there is no easy way that relationship breakdown can be accepted without experiencing the pain of a significant ending. The two people involved in any relationship breakdown, be it separation or divorce, will, more than likely be at different...
Generally, applications challenging the validity of a person’s wills are not time-limited. In contrast, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 are time-limited to six months from the date that the Grant of...
Sometimes referred to as Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) are a range of methods to resolve disputes away from Court. In my blog earlier this month (which can be found here ), I wrote about the importance of NCDR, and...
In April 2024, there was a change in the Family Procedure Rules, which placed a greater emphasis on the importance of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR). This does not mean that prior to these rule changes, NCDR was discouraged, but the changes have now...
Below, you will find a summary of each of the key reforms made by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (“the Act”), in the order that they appear in the Act (or close to it). All but four of the sections will come into force on a date to...
Counselling is always a very personal experience as counsellors and psychotherapists invite their clients to bring their own unique narratives about the events they want to speak about to the therapy room. Counselling can offer a confidential space for...
A common concern for people who wish to apply for a divorce is that their spouse might block or hold up the process. The good news is that there is little your spouse can do in most cases to stop or significantly delay your divorce thanks to new divorce...
While things are gradually becoming more equal, the reality is that women in heterosexual marriages are often at greater risk of financial hardship if their marriages end in divorce. Understanding your rights can give you a better chance of securing a fair...
In a divorce, the division of assets is often one of the most fraught issues the separating couples must deal with. Securing a fair split of your combined assets can be critical to your future financial security, so it is important that all assets are...
In a divorce, pensions are often the biggest asset a separating couple has to consider after the family home. A fair approach to pensions on divorce is, therefore, essential to make sure that an equitable division of assets can be agreed upon that meets both...
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