Services
How can we help?
At Melyn Legal we recognise that family law advice is not something people necessarily budget for or look forward to. It is called a 'stress purchase' for a reason.We want to give our clients clear, pragmatic and helpful advice so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and for their families.
Pre-nuptial and Post nuptial Agreements
Not just for the rich and famous, a nuptial agreement, whether entered into before or after marriage can be really helpful. They are helpful not just for the party seeking to protect business assets or inherited wealth, but also for the party bringing less (financially) to the relationship.Pre and post nuptial agreements set out clearly and formally at the outset what the expectations would be so that the parties should be given peace of mind. They can then put the piece of paper in a drawer and hopefully not look at it until it needs reviewing after 10 years or so. We can help you understand if you need an agreement and if you do, what it should look like.
Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution
Happily we now have a ‘no fault’ divorce system in England and Wales, and the Court system is much more user friendly, making it easier for parties to deal with this element of their separation themselves if they want to.The same applies to Civil Partnerships. Having said that, the timings for financial orders are reliant on your divorce or dissolution reaching a particular stage so we would recommend that you seek advice.
Finances
Whether couples are divorcing or dissolving their civil partnership, they will need advice in respect of the division of their finances. The family may have extensive assets, they may just have a home and modest savings. Either way it is important to know what assets and liabilities there are so that a full and final financial agreement can be drafted. We can help navigate the mediation, voluntary disclosure or Court application telating to the division of the family finances, whichever route suits our clients and their individual circumstances.Unmarried Parties
The rules for unmarried couples are under review but for now there remains one big issue; there is no such thing as a ‘common law spouse’. This means that if you are not married, any dispute will be under the Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act or Schedule 1 of the Children Act. These are complicated rules and seem quite at odds with everything provided for under the Matrimonial Causes Act for married couple or those in a civil partnership.Ask us about your rights and responsibilities if these issues affect you.
The Children
Probably the most important aspect of any separation are the children of the family. We mention them last, not because they are the least important but it is our hope that if we can help clients sensibly navigate and negotiate their separation and the division of their finances, the arrangements for the children should fall into place with little interference from lawyers.From our vast experience, we know this is not always the case, so please do ask us if there are any issues affecting the children of your family. We have extensive experience in Children Act applications and proceedings, and we are happy to help to make sure the involvement of the children is kept to a minimum but that their wellbeing is kept at the forefront of everyone’s minds while discussing the other issues relating to a family break up.