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…
To help a father in his efforts to see his children, it helps first to understand the legal position. As a father living in the UK, you are entitled to a say in the care of your children. If this cannot be agreed with their mother, there are steps you…
You can usually still get divorced in England and Wales if you were married abroad, as long as certain conditions are met. This article takes a look at the process of divorce if you were married in another country and answers some of the most commonly asked questions on this…
Getting divorced isn’t always straightforward. How smoothly the process goes can depend heavily on the ability to co-operate and communicate with your spouse. If your spouse is a narcissist, it can make things even more difficult. Here, we look at some of the common challenges when divorcing a narcissist and…
Mediation in a divorce can take as little as a few hours but varies from case to case. How long mediation takes varies and depends on several factors. Some people can come to an agreement after just one mediation session. For others, it may take longer. This blog will answer…
Getting started with mediation is a straightforward process. You can begin mediation at any time in the divorce, including before submitting your application, while your application is being processed by the court, during the 20-week reflection period, or even after your divorce has been finalised to help address any ongoing…
It is still possible to get a divorce if your spouse lives abroad, provided that either you or your spouse meet certain criteria. The process is largely the same as a normal UK-based divorce, where both spouses reside in the UK. How do I divorce someone who lives abroad? Step…
Many people worry about what might happen if their partner tries to slow down or prevent their divorce by refusing to sign the divorce papers. But in reality, there is little your spouse can do to stop the divorce going through once you have applied. If your spouse won’t agree…
Under current divorce rules, it takes about seven months to get a divorce – around 14 days to process the application, followed by a mandatory 20-week wait before applying for a conditional order, and then a further wait of 43 days to apply for the final order. However, these timeframes…
Mediation is a method of dispute resolution sometimes used during the divorce process. Mediators focus on resolving family disagreements and can help provide a means of communication between you and your spouse. A mediator can help you to reach an agreement about issues such as childcare and the division of…
The term “custody” is considered an outdated term and is now referred to as child arrangements. Child arrangements can be a contentious and emotionally charged issue, especially during the breakdown of a relationship. In divorce proceedings, determining where and with whom a child will live is one of the most…