Changing your name after marriage is an exciting step for many couples, but it can also feel daunting. From updating official documents to notifying institutions, the process requires careful planning. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to ensure your name change is smooth and legally recognised…
Controlling and coercive behaviour (CCB) has been recognised as a criminal offence in England and Wales since 2015, under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act. It encompasses patterns of intimidation, isolation, financial restriction, or surveillance that cause serious and lasting harm. Almost ten years on, the latest data shows…
Stonewalling is when someone deliberately shuts down communication by refusing to engage in conversation, respond to concerns, or acknowledge the other person’s feelings. This behaviour is sometimes described as the silent treatment. Stonewalling can also involve dismissing what the other person says, belittling their feelings, or suggesting they are being…
At Woolley & Co, Solicitors, we are redefining what it means to build a successful and fulfilling career in family law and legal services. As a people-centric firm, we prioritise flexibility, professional growth, and a supportive work environment. Whether you’re an experienced family law solicitor, an administrator, a finance expert,…
While marriage is a wonderful celebration of a couple’s love and commitment to one another and is seen as the next natural step in many relationships, it is important to remember that it is also a legal arrangement. By extension, that means marriage usually comes with certain benefits. Exactly what…
The decision to leave a marriage is not an easy one. How to explain your position to your husband or wife when you want to get divorced is often more harrowing than coming to the realisation that your marriage is over. If you are in this position, being prepared can…
This blog explores the alternatives you might consider when resolving disagreements during the divorce process. In any divorce there are often seriously difficult issues to resolve between the parties, so what are the sort of methods we can use as lawyers to help with that and to reach a resolution?…
Here at Woolley & Co, we are fortunate enough to be able to work from home all the time, personally I have doing so for some 13 years now. So, whilst I am not forced to do so because of the current pandemic, it is still challenging and so I…
Part of the challenge we face as family lawyers is demystifying the process and dealing with the jargon that besets the legal profession and court process. A recent discussion in the office resulted in a challenge to come up with a dictionary of family law terms, essentially an A-Z of…
Mediation. It is something many people still know little about in the context of divorce. However, if it is approached in the right way, it can be a massive help for families in crisis. The bottom line is that a mediator can help a couple reach agreement on key issues…
As a family law solicitor, it never ceases to amaze me how wasteful the court system is, in more ways than one. Anyone who has attended a hearing at court as part of their family proceedings, will have an idea of just how much paper is generated for those few…