Category: Family Law

Some situations where the law is commonly misunderstood in family circumstances

Written on December 22, 2023. Posted in Family Law, Wills and Probate.

Often we speak to clients who believe they have, or don’t have certain legal rights – which are often commonly held perceptions in the general public however, not necessarily correct.

As there are many misconceptions about family circumstances and the law, we thought it would be helpful to provide a brief summary of a few situations and beliefs we commonly come across about common law marriage rights, father’s rights, divorce grounds, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, to help you understand your true legal position.

If you do find yourself in any of the below situations though, it is always important to seek independent legal advice to understand your individual position and rights.

What you need to know before pursuing a DIY Divorce

Written on November 15, 2023. Posted in Family Law.

Following the introduction of no-fault divorce in 2022 and online divorce procedures, many people are choosing to deal with their divorce themselves to save money – often without taking any legal advice at all.

Common reasons for entering into a prenuptial agreement

Written on June 1, 2023. Posted in Family Law.

The number of people choosing to enter into Prenuptial Agreements (‘Prenups’) has steadily been increasing over the years for various reasons. In this blog, we’ve explained more about Prenuptial Agreements and discussed some of the common reasons why many couples, not just the rich and famous, opt to enter into a prenup before marriage.

Photo of Bridge Law Holmfirth's family law team. Lucy Butler (left), Jill Walker (middle) and Carol-Anne Baker (right)

Bridge Law Solicitors expand their thriving Family Law team in Holmfirth

Written on April 4, 2023. Posted in Bridge Law In The News, Family Law.

Bridge Law has invested in its Family Law division with the appointment of specialist Family Law Solicitor, Jill Walker, who has just joined the firm’s Holmfirth team.

Co-parenting plans for school holidays

Written on March 9, 2023. Posted in Family Law.

When you separate or divorce from your partner, navigating day-to-day child arrangements can prove challenging. An aspect of building an effective co-parenting plan is to consider what will happen during school holidays – something we often see families forget about until very close to the time or after the holidays have already started.

Here, we’ve shared a brief guide to building a co-parenting plan for school holidays that puts the children’s needs at the forefront.

Why unmarried couples should consider a cohabitation agreement

Written on July 1, 2022. Posted in Family Law, Legal News, Property Law.

Nowadays, more and more couples live together like traditionally married couples do, but without feeling the want or need to get married, for many different reasons. Although no one, whether married or not, wants to think about their relationship ending or their partner passing away, everyone should understand their legal rights and the protections that are available to them in these situations – to make informed decisions on issues that may, at some point in future affect them – such as the choice of whether or not to enter into a cohabitation agreement.

Divorcing with dignity: new laws to end unnecessary conflict

Written on March 25, 2022. Posted in Family Law.

Next month, on 6th April 2022 the much-anticipated changes to modernise divorce laws are coming into effect. The legislative reforms under ‘The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020’ aim to reduce conflict amongst couples ending their marriage or civil partnership. This blog shares what to expect from the changes.

Why is family mediation beneficial for separating families?

Written on January 19, 2022. Posted in Dispute Management, Family Law.

Going through a divorce or legal separation is never easy and can be overwhelming. However, it is always recommended to try and resolve matters where possible, without involving the courts, which may trigger acrimony or aggravate an already acrimonious situation further. This is one of the reasons we are supporters of family mediation, which we know can help separating couples to move forward with their lives, in a way that works best for their family. In this article, we’ve shared some key benefits of family mediation to consider.

Bridge Law Holmfirth team (left to right) Mollie-May James, Carol-Anne Baker, Claire Stewart, Jonathan Cass and Lucy Butler

Bridge Law bolsters growth in Yorkshire team following third anniversary in the region

Written on November 4, 2021. Posted in Bridge Law In The News, Civil Procedure, Commercial Law, Dispute Management, Family Law, Legal News, Professional Negligence, Property Law.

Bridge Law Solicitors Ltd’s Holmfirth team has had an exciting summer with two new hires, a team member promotion and new premises to support their ongoing growth. Enhancing their already comprehensive range of services, the expansion has happened just in time to celebrate their third anniversary since launching a team in the Yorkshire region.

Can an ex-partner claim your inheritance following divorce or civil-partnership dissolution?

Written on September 30, 2021. Posted in Family Law, Wills and Probate.

What happens to inheritance following a divorce is a common question clients ask, which is a complicated question to answer due to the complexity of this area, where mortality crosses with different areas of the law.