Angell and Co Solicitors
5 Pierrepont Street
Bath BA1 1LB
Tel: 01225 484244
mail@angellsolicitors.co.uk
Angell and Co Family Law Services
ChildrenIf your partner has left you and the children, we can help sort out financial matters and any issues affecting the children, such as custody or access. Where a partner has left taking the children, we would aim to get a court order to return the children. We can do this very quickly in an emergency, sometimes doing so over the telephone where the urgency of the case demands it. If a child has been taken into care, it can be a very worrying experience for the parents who are pitted against social services and their team of legal advisers. We can help put your side of the case, investigate the evidence and represent you at court hearings. Some parents worry who will be responsible for your children if you die. We can advise you of the options to take now to ensure that your children will be taken care of in the way you would want, should you die prematurely. More about the arrangements for children after a divorce or separation:
Civil PartnershipsSince December 2004, same-sex couples have been able to register their partnership and acquire rights and responsibilities almost the same as married couples. As with marriages, civil partnerships can sadly break down. Civil partnerships can only be dissolved by court process on the ground of irretrievable breakdown. The grounds for dissolving a civil partnership are the same as for divorce except for adultery. If your partner is unfaithful, the grounds for dissolution may therefore be unreasonable behaviour. If you decide to separate or dissolve the partnership, you have the right to claim maintenance, lump sum payments, property transfer, or a share of your partner’s pension. You may also be able to acquire parental responsibility of your partner’s child by agreement or court order. You can apply for residence or contact if you have acquired parental responsibility. Generally, civil partners are treated as married people for the purposes of entitlement to welfare benefits. To read more about civil partnerships and the law:
CohabitationIf you are living together, but are not married, you may still have legal rights and responsibilities. Legal changes are being considered by the government for gay and lesbian couples in respect of property and pensions. Couples with children may need help in arranging responsibilities for their care and upkeep. We can provide you with the latest legal advice and the legal support you need to achieve a fair settlement. Click here for the factsheet on the Resolution website.
Collaborative LawMany couples would like to decide on issues such as the future welfare of their children or how to divide property and pensions without going to court. Collaborative family law is a new approach to manage the divorce process in a dignified manner. It involves family lawyers and their clients agreeing in writing to reach settlement without court involvement. They agree to work together to resolve children and financial issues arising out of the separation. They may enlist other experts, such as child or pension specialists. Collaborative family lawyers use their skills to help their clients shape a fair agreement. Relationship breakdown will always involve financial and emotional costs. Collaborative family law can help minimise those costs for all concerned. Sarah Angell is qualified to provide collaborative family law services to clients and would be happy to discuss this option with you. This service is not currently eligible for legal aid. Read more on the Resolution website.
DivorceIf you have decided that the differences are such that your marriage is no longer sustainable, we can provide the legal advice and support you need to gain a divorce or a legal separation. Sadly, every year 150,000 marriages end in divorce. The legal process of ending a marriage can impact on every family member. We try to help separating couples settle their differences in a way which avoids long and divisive arguments and promotes co-operation between parents in decisions concerning children. Click here to find your nearest Relate counsellor. To get a divorce, you must have been married for more than a year and your marriage must have broken down for one of these reasons:
A Decree Nisi is an interim stage, granted by the court when the ground for divorce is established. After a period of time, it can be converted into a Decree Absolute, which marks the end of the marriage. This will not normally happen until arrangements for any children and financial matters are agreed. You can stop the process at any time before the Decree Absolute is issued. To read more about the divorce procedure,
Domestic ViolenceSometimes relationships turn violent, and you or your children are being threatened by a violent partner or former partner. At the time of any incident of serious threat or physical attack, you should always call the police by dialling 999. Most police forces have specially trained domestic violence officers, and you can ask to see a woman officer if you choose. Where you are worried about a possible attack, you need to act quickly. We can help you to get a court order to prevent a violent partner or ex-partner from abusing you or your children, or to keep them from your home. If you need to find a refuge, call Women's Aid on 0800 2000 247. For more on the law and domestic violence, read this factsheet.
Financial Issues and PensionsSettling the financial arrangements is usually far more complex than a divorce itself. We try to ensure that issues relating to children are dealt with separately from financial matters to try and avoid any disagreements over money and property preventing arrangements for children. Read more about financial issues:
Grandparents' RightsIf you are a grandparent, you're not alone. There are over 16 million grandparents in the UK. But being a grandparent carries with it its own mix of joy and trauma. After a divorce, it can sometimes be difficult to continue seeing a beloved grandchild. A third of grandparents under the age of sixty has a dependent child living at home. If you are a grandparent and you want help and advice on your legal rights in respect of your grandchildren, we can provide it. You may wish to read more at the Age Concern.
Mediation ServicesAngell & Co does not provide mediation services itself, but we do refer people to Bath's two accredited mediation companies.
Read more about mediation here:
Relationship BreakdownWhen a relationship breaks down, we can help you sort out important issues including those affecting your children and your finances.
Parental RightsAs a parent, you have rights and responsibilities towards your children. You know your children best, so you should be best able to consider the effects of your break-up on them and together devise the most suitable living arrangements. Negotiation is important as agreements reached together are more likely to work in the long term and be respected by the wider family. Family mediation services such as Bath Family Mediation (Out of Court Ltd) and Stone King in Bath can help you achieve this. We can also provide you with the right advice and support. Sometimes, after a difficult marriage breakdown, it is difficult to agree these issues amicably, and the courts need to be involved. We have considerable experience in ensuring that your rights as a mother or father are protected. If you feel that you are being unreasonably denied access to your son or daughter, we can advise you of your options and where necessary, represent your interests in the court. If the courts have already decided that you should have regular access to your child - and this is not happening - we can work with you to ensure that the court's original decision is implemented.
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