Once an application for a Child Arrangement Order has been made, Cafcass (Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service) will start making basic safeguarding enquiries with the Police and Social Services. All parties will be contacted by Cafcass for an initial discussion, usually by telephone. At this stage they will only want to discuss with you […]

To apply a Child Arrangements Order, the law requires you to first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, often referred to as a MIAM. This is a meeting with a qualified mediator who will inform you about forms of alternative dispute resolution and ways in which to resolve your dispute out of the Court […]

Whether you are a parent or grandparent of a child, you are able to apply to a Court for a Child Arrangements Order (often referred to as a CAO). Typically, although not limited to, individuals apply for a Child Arrangements Order where either separation of the parents has taken place or there are obstacles being […]

It is finally happening. ‘No fault’ divorce is approaching and approaching fast. The change in law does coincide with my own personal nuptials. I hope this doesn’t provide a bad omen for my relationship. EDIT: This blog was originally written on 24th March 2022, just before the new legislation came into effect. Today, 6th April, is the day that […]

When you decide to separate or divorce, a huge worry for many couples is what will happen to the family finances, particularly the family home. This can be an extremely stressful time for separating couples and the prospect of having to discuss and agree on how to split the family finances can lead to disagreements […]

When parents separate, children of all ages can be left feeling a variety of emotions including anger, confusion and upset. They often feel that decisions are being made about their future over which they have no control over or say, and this can build resentment to one or both of their parents. Even when parents talk […]

Here at Thornton Jones Solicitors this Family Mediation Week we are drilling down on a number of really important aspects of mediation and focusing on those aspects to ensure that when you do embark on family mediation, that you do so primed and ready to make the very best of the opportunity. In this Blog […]

Embark on separation and you’ll be sure to hear the word ‘mediation’ and you may not fully understand what it is and how it might help you. Commonly, people assume that when couples separate that a long, expensive, and emotional time is ahead of them, fraught with legal jargon and courtrooms and judges wearing silly wigs, […]

Co-parenting after divorce is rarely easy. Often, the breakdown of the relationship will have been an emotional and stressful one, and you may have negative feelings towards your ex-spouse. Where relationships break down, the division of the assets can lead to conflict, from whom keeps the TV to who stays in the home. But, where […]