In brief Prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, but courts will give them significant weight if they are properly prepared. The landmark Supreme Court case Radmacher v Granatino [2010] established that a prenup should be given effect if it was freely entered into with a…
In brief Spousal maintenance is financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a marriage ends. It is not an automatic entitlement. Whether you can claim spousal maintenance depends on your financial needs, your ability to support yourself, and your former spouse’s ability to pay. The court considers…
In brief When a marriage breaks down, household bills still need to be paid. As a general rule, both spouses remain responsible for the financial commitments they had during the marriage, including the mortgage, utility bills, and council tax, until a formal financial settlement is made by the court. A…
In brief Choose a private, calm moment, ideally when children are not present, and be direct but compassionate. Use “I” statements rather than blame, and be prepared for a range of emotional reactions. It helps to speak to a solicitor before the conversation so you understand your rights and options….
Over the past decade, amicable divorce has increasingly become the preferred way for separating couples to resolve matters. The concept is attractive: cooperative, cost-effective, and forward-looking. In many cases, an amicable divorce or mediated settlement works extremely well and helps families avoid unnecessary conflict and court proceedings. However, practitioners are increasingly seeing disputes emerge…
Victims of domestic abuse often report that they no longer feel safe in the comfort of their own home. Living with fear, control and violence can be overwhelming and deeply distressing. While one option may be to leave the family home, this is not always straightforward, particularly where children are…
Divorce rates vary widely around the world. Some countries report unusually high numbers of divorces per 1,000 people each year, while others maintain very low figures, often reflecting cultural norms, legal systems, social attitudes and family structures. While this article is framed around 2025, most global divorce statistics are published with…