How long does the divorce process take?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
1y ago
It takes a minimum of 26 weeks from the date an applicant issues their divorce to the final step in the divorce process. However, this can take longer if there are financial assets that need to be discussed and agreed upon.   The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, came into force on 6th April 2022 and it marked a fundamental change in the process for divorce.   Once an application for a divorce has been submitted online. The applicant cannot apply for conditional order until 20 weeks have passed. Once the conditional order has been granted by the court, the applicant will ..read more
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Are you considering a divorce? But do not want to place blame on your spouse and allege behaviours?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
No-Fault divorce is coming into effect on 6 April 2022, what does this mean? The new divorce law changes are expected to come into effect on 6 April 2022 in England and Wales and will also apply to civil partnership dissolution. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will make significant changes to the divorce process by removing the ‘fault’ element when applying for a divorce. Under the current divorce law, unless the married couple have been separated for a period of two years (with other parties consent) or five years. The only way to initiate divorce proceedings would be to alle ..read more
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Are you going through a divorce? Have you considered a financial settlement with your spouse?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
‘According to Which? Who conducted a survey found that only 15% of divorcing couples include pensions in their financial settlement (Which? Members carried out in November 2021). Of the 453 people surveyed, Which? Found 58% said that pensions were not discussed during their divorce proceedings.’   These are shocking statistics which could lead one party facing an unstable retirement if pensions are not included within the settlement. Pensions should not be ignored when it comes to sorting out the finances. Pensions are considered one of the big assets usually after the parties’ family hom ..read more
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Parents Could Face Costs Orders for Clogging Up Family Court says Dominic Raab
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
‘Dominic Raab is reportedly drawing up plans that would financially penalise parents who unnecessarily clog up the courts. Raab recently told the Conservative party conference that too many civil cases go to court and there should be more use of alternative dispute resolution’   The full article can be found here: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/parents-could-face-costs-order-for-clogging-up-family-court/5110452.article   Often clients who have not sought legal advice from the outset of their family matter and represent themselves in person (meaning without legal representation) ma ..read more
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Is January known for being the divorce month?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
Firstly Happy New Year to you all, including our existing, previous and future clients.   It’s certain to say that January is usually one of the busiest months in taking instructions from new clients in respect of divorce proceedings. This is a huge step for clients and their families especially if there are children of the marriage and how this will impact upon them. Careful thought will need to be given and how best to approach matters to keep it amicable between the parties. When considering a divorce, your first thought will always be the consideration of your children and how best to ..read more
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I’ve Not Seen My Grandchildren Since My Son Separated From His Wife – What are my Rights as a Grandparent?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
When a relationship breaks down between two parents and there are difficulties in respect of child arrangements and contact, it can often be the extended families that suffer the most. This could be because they do not want to interfere or shorten the contact that is given to the non-resident parent or simply because they do not know their rights as a grandparent in having contact with their grandchild(ren) following separation.   At Sousa Law this is something we can advise you on and the different dispute resolutions available – in terms of Mediation, Collaborative Law and Arbitration ..read more
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Surrogacy on the rise in England and Wales
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
Earlier this week, BBC news reported that the number of parents having a baby using a surrogate is on the rise in England and Wales in the last ten years. However the current legislation in place needs reviewing. Surrogacy arrangements in the UK are regulated by the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. Experts say the current legislation leaves both surrogates and intended parents vulnerable. Surrogacy is legal in the UK. However, it is illegal to advertise for a surrogate and it is illegal for third parties to profit from matching. At present, w ..read more
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Have you been stopped from seeing your children?
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
Following a couple’s separation or marriage breakdown in some cases the children of the family are placed in the middle of the parental dispute. The children may be used against the other parent as bargaining power or they may simply stop contact between the children and the other parent through anger. This will make the children feel torn and caught up in their parents’ anger, which over time will impact on the individual child and their emotional and developmental needs. Types of Child Arrangements When a relationship breaks down, parents will need to try to reach an agreement on the child a ..read more
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Secrecy in the UK Family Courts
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
Dispatches on Channel 4 aired an interesting documentary on Tuesday 20th July 2021, regarding the family courts and the law that forbids cases being disclosed to any person outside who is not involved in the court hearing. The documentary was called ‘Torn Apart: family courts uncovered’. Within the family courts, Judges and Magistrates face impossible decisions everyday about bitter disputes between parents. Currently the law forbids any person involved in the court hearing from disclosing the outcome within the family court. Family court hearings are held in private and therefore the press ar ..read more
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Celebrations at Sousa Law
Sousa Law Blog | Legal information & Guidence for people across Hampshire
by Alice Palermo
2y ago
1st July 2021 is such an exciting day for Sousa Law with new appointments and promotions!!  Catherine Sousa is delighted to announce the promotion of Guiseppe Pingerna to Director.  Read more about the new partnership here. We are also very pleased to welcome Family Solicitor Kim Walsh who has recently joined the Sousa Law team having relocated to the South coast.  Kim qualified as a Solicitor in 2015 and previously worked at Woodfines Solicitors in Milton Keynes. Claire Hill has been appointed as Sousa Law’s new Legal Cashier and brings with her over 20 years of experience in t ..read more
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