Family

With pupils returning to school, and many coronavirus restrictions now lifted, we understand that both parents and pupils will have questions about what to expect. In this article, we look at the rules around wearing masks, self-isolating, and testing in relation to school pupils. Will children need to self-isolate if they are in contact with a pupil who has tested positive? The rules changed on 16th August with children aged under 18 no longer required to self-isolate if they have come into close contact with a person who has tested…

When a couple makes the decision to divorce, the breakdown of the relationship can have far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, grandparents of any children of the relationship can suffer and even be prevented from seeing their grandchildren as often as they would like. However, there are certain actions grandparents can take to secure child arrangements with their grandchildren and in this article, we look at some of the solutions to a very sensitive legal problem. Do grandparents have any legal rights? Under UK law, grandparents do not have an automatic right through…

With the COVID-19 vaccine being quickly rolled out across the UK, there are concerns among some about the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine. As a result, some are reluctant to get the vaccine themselves or let their children be vaccinated. The law in the UK allows parents to decide whether their children should be vaccinated, but what happens when parents or those with parental responsibility disagree? In this article, we look at what happens if one parent objects to a child being vaccinated. What happens when parents…

The easing of lockdown may have been the catalyst for the announcement by billionaire Bill Gates and his wife that they were heading for divorce and separate lives, with data from Google showing a surge in searches for divorce guidance as restrictions were relaxed. But while Bill and Melinda reportedly reached a financial settlement agreement before making their news public, with Gates transferring shares worth $2.4 billion to his estranged wife, this clear-cut route may be closed to those who are less well off. That’s because financial hardships, the potential…

Do you need a cohabitation agreement if you live with your partner, or considering moving in together? There is, of course, no legal requirement to have a cohabitation agreement to live with a partner, but it can be a useful tool to protect your finances and establish practical arrangements. In this article, we look at why you might want to get a cohabitation agreement and what such an agreement can do for you. What is a cohabitation agreement? A cohabitation agreement is basically an outline of an open and honest…

Under a child maintenance arrangement, child support is usually paid by the parent who does not have day-to-day care of the child or does not usually live with the child. In cases of non-payment of child maintenance, the receiving parent could launch a civil legal claim. However, this option is expensive and still leaves the issue of ensuring the paying parent complies with the judgment. Instead, where possible, you, as the receiving parent, can approach the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), which has wide-ranging powers of enforcement. What measures can the…