It is important to understand that there is no legal definition of fairness, however it is determined on a balance scale. The starting point for division of matrimonial assets is 50/50, however there is the potential to depart from equality in certain cases depending on the circumstances of the matter.  The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 […]

Depending on the circumstances, you may not need to sell your house, however this cannot be guaranteed as every situation is different.  After the assets of the marriage have been established, the next consideration is how the assets will be divided, including whether the house needs to be sold, or if one party stays in […]

The decision to separate or divorce is a personal one which can only be made by the individuals involved. If you decide to separate, then you can do this informally and reach agreement as to how your assets are to be divided.  It can often be too soon to think about divorce, and if this […]

During a divorce or separation, it is often extremely difficult to navigate arrangements for children. Arrangements may include how often the children spend time with both parents, deciding who the children are going to live with, or how the care of the children is to be shared. If there are difficulties in agreeing these arrangements, […]

There is no one, simple answer to this question, as it is very difficult to know what each person is entitled to as this depends on individual circumstances. The starting point for dividing matrimonial assets is 50:50. Matrimonial assets include things such as money (including savings and investments), property, pensions, businesses, vehicles etc. The Court […]

A government-commissioned review of the existing surrogacy laws has concluded that “intended parents of a child born to a surrogate mother should be able to get legal parenthood from the point of birth”. But what is surrogacy? What is the current Surrogacy Law in the UK? And What are the new surrogacy laws being proposed? This blog […]

It may seem odd, or even counter-intuitive, to be discussing separation and divorce at a time when you are finalising your wedding plans, but with around one third of marriages ending in divorce, statistics should prompt you to at least consider what the financial outcomes might be were you to divorce. A prenuptial isn’t just intended […]

Our Family Law team here at Thornton Jones Solicitors were really pleased to learn of further funding by the Government into the Mediation Voucher Scheme; a scheme which enables eligible families to apply for a £500 voucher to be used towards the payment for Mediation. Announced via a press release on gov.uk on 3rd June 2022, the press release stated […]

A legal guardian is someone who has the legal authority to take care of a child should anything happen to the parents. A parent of a child is not normally considered a guardian, though the responsibilities may be very similar. Typically, a guardian is someone (often a family member) who a parent has named in their Will […]