The Family Law Specialists

The Family Law Specialists Fixed cost divorce & family law experts. Divorce|Finances|Child Arrangements|Relationship agreements. Both parties must agree to jointly use our services.

Do you need affordable specialist help? - Book a FREE advice consultation, or ask us a question. We have over 30 years of experience in dealing with divorce and family law as legal professionals
with backgrounds as Solicitors, Mediators and Collaborative lawyers. We firmly believe that everyone should have access to the best legal help regardless of their income or financial situation. That is wh

y we started the Divorce & Family Law Specialists. We offer divorcing or separating couples a different and cost-effective way of dealing with their divorce & family law issues by working jointly with them to find the best solution. We encourage the resolution of family law matters on a fair, non-adversarial and uncontentious basis. We are neutral and impartial, and we do not take sides. Using our knowledge, expertise and experience in family law and alternative dispute resolution, we advise, inform, assist, and guide a couple to reach the best outcome for them. We encourage the building of bridges, not walls. We assist a couple with document preparation, legal information & procedure, and negotiation with a view to reaching an outcome that is fair and reasonable. Unlike the traditional Solicitor model, we do not have retainers, 6-minute units, hourly rates, monthly bills, or deliver nasty surprises! All our fees are fixed and transparent. In these challenging times all our services are provided online. This means – no taking time off work, no arranging childcare or travelling. We are here when you need us. We are not a law firm or part of a firm of Solicitors, and we do not undertake reserved legal activities or conduct litigation. We are a specialist legal services provider with professional backgrounds in law.

04/06/2026

When do you start paying child support?

Child support payments usually start when parents of a child separate. The amount of child support can be worked out either privately or through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

If the amount of child support cannot be agreed between the parents, either parent can apply to the CMS for them to calculate the amount based on the paying parent’s income and circumstances.

If the paying parent does not pay in full or on time, the CMS has the power to take enforcement action.

03/06/2026

Why do Judges reject financial Consent Orders?

Judges will usually reject a financial Consent Order for the following three main reasons:

If a Judge considers the terms of a financial agreement is unfair to either party and there is no clear explanation to justify the agreed terms, a Judge has the power to refuse to approve the Order.

If the wording or structure of the proposed Consent Order is badly drafted, unclear, legally unworkable, or ambiguous, a Judge can reject the Order.

If the Judge thinks the parties assets, income, pensions, or debts have not been properly presented or fully disclosed; the Judge can refuse approval.

02/06/2026

How to apply for full custody of your child

To obtain full custody of a child it is necessary to make an application to court for a Child Arrangement Order with a sole Lives With clause.

The Order determines who and where the child will primarily live with, who the child can spend time with, and other contact arrangements. Parents, guardians, or anyone with parental responsibility can apply directly for a Child Arrangement Order.

Before applying to the court, the parties must try to reach an out of court settlement. This involves attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting where an assessment will be made to see whether mediation could resolve the dispute.

Only after attempting mediation, and it being unsuccessful, can you apply for a Child Arrangements Order using the form C100.

01/06/2026

How to prove ownership of a dog?

If a dispute arises as to ownership of a dog, ownership is usually proven by a bundle of evidence, not one single document. Evidence includes:

Purchase or adoption documents, and vet records in the name of the owner.

Kennel Club registration and pet insurance documents in the name of the person claiming ownership.

Microchip registration showing the person claiming to be the owner as the registered keeper and point of contact.

Receipts, or card payments for vet bills, food, grooming, medication, and routine care.

The only exception is if there is clear evidence the dog was gifted to the person claiming ownership.

28/05/2026

What happens when a Consent Order is sealed by a Judge?

When a Consent Order is sealed and approved by a Judge it means the Court considers the terms of a financial agreement to be fair.

The sealed Consent Order becomes a legally binding Court Order that both parties must follow and can be enforced if someone does not comply.

Once a Consent Order is sealed the parties must implement the terms by doing what the Order says such as transferring property, paying a lump sum, complying with an undertaking, or sharing a pension.

27/05/2026

Who has parental responsibility after a separation?

Separation or divorce does not remove parental responsibility. Whoever has parental responsibility prior to the separation or divorce will keep it.

Parental responsibility only ends when a child turns 18, is adopted, marries, or a court order removes it, which is very rare.

Even after a relationship ends, major decisions such as medical treatment, education, religion, moving abroad and changing a child’s name, requires the agreement of all those with parental responsibility.

26/05/2026

Is a stepparent a legal guardian?

In England and Wales, a stepparent does not become a child’s legal guardian just by marrying the child’s parent, nor do they automatically have parental responsibility for a stepchild.

A stepparent can only get parental responsibility through a legal agreement or court order, and the child’s other legal parents’ rights still exist.

A parent who has parental responsibility can also appoint a stepparent as a guardian in their Will, or by court order under the Children Act 1989.

25/05/2026

What is cooperative co-parenting?

Cooperative co-parenting is when separated or divorced parents work together to raise their child, sharing decisions about important issues like education, health, and activities.

Cooperative co-parenting puts the child’s best interests and needs first to make the child feel more secure.

Parents will agree on similar routines, rules, and expectations between homes. Helpful habits include using a co-parenting app for communication and schedules, keeping messages brief and specific, and shared problem-solving.

24/05/2026

Can you be in a civil partnership and married?

In the United Kingdom you can either be in a marriage or civil partnership, but not both. You can only hold one legal relationship at the same time.

This is because you cannot already be in an existing legal relationship to form a marriage or a civil partnership.

Same-sex couples can however legally convert an existing civil partnership into a marriage at a local register office.

22/05/2026

Are dogs property?

Under English law, a dog is considered property or a “chattel,” similar to furniture or a car.

If a dispute occurs concerning a dog, English law looks at practical ownership evidence, including who is the main carer, who bought or adopted the dog, whose name is on the microchip or vet records, and who paid for food and vet bills.

The Pet Abduction Act 2024 has made it a criminal offence to take or detain a dog from its legal registered owner. The law carries a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction.

However, the offence is generally not committed if the person taking the animal lived with the owner (and the dog) in the same household prior to the separation.

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