According to the ONS, 51% of children were born to unmarried mothers in 2021, the highest since records began in 1845. However, when unmarried couples with children separate, is the only thing to sort out child maintenance through the government-run Child Maintenance Service?  

In this episode, Jen Curtis is joined by Mills & Reeve Associate Stephanie Hawthorn office and Principal Associate David Hickmott. Together they unravel the importance of a piece of law often simply referred to as Schedule 1 (Children Act 1989), which claims may not be accepted by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), how financial provision for children is calculated and the benefits of resolving disputes outside of the court room.

If you'd like to find out more about child maintenance and our children lawyers, visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/children/child-maintenance.


Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Recent figures reveal that cohabiting (unmarried) couples are the fastest growing family type in the UK. In 2021, cohabiting couples accounted for 24.3% of families in the UK and this is set to rise further. Unmarried couples are often referred to as common law spouses and there is the expectation that, if the relationship breaks down, the couple can expect the same financial treatment as divorcing couples. But is it true?

In this episode, Tim and Jen discuss unmarried couples and property ownership. They explain the different types of property ownership, what couples moving in together need to think about when only one of them owns the house, the increasing importance of the Bank of Family and Friends as well as how cohabitation agreements can help avoid misunderstandings in the future.

If you'd like to find out more about our cohabitation lawyers, visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/cohabitation/property-rights-of-cohabiting-couples

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Despite surrogacy being available in England and Wales, many UK couples find themselves looking for alternatives overseas. There may be more availability of surrogates, more affordable fertility treatment or the option to have a pre-birth order. Likewise, couples from overseas may look to the UK for a surrogacy arrangement.

In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Head of Fertility Law, Colin Rogerson. Together they discuss international surrogacy arrangements, parental orders, the most popular destinations for surrogacy, the challenges parents-to-be need to be aware of and the international recognition of parentage.

If you'd like to find out more about our surrogacy lawyers, visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/surrogacy-and-fertility-law/surrogacy

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Over the past decade, the number of parents opting for surrogacy in England and Wales has nearly quadrupled. However, there’s a common misconception that surrogacy is illegal in the UK.

In this episode, Tim is joined by Mills & Reeve Head of Fertility Law, Colin Rogerson and Principal Associate Rose-Marie Drury. Together, they discuss surrogacy arrangements in the UK, how things like expenses are dealt with and the importance of parental orders. They also share their top tips for surrogates and parents-to-be to successfully navigate the surrogacy process.

If you'd like to find out more about our surrogacy lawyers, visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/surrogacy-and-fertility-law/surrogacy

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children.

Glossary:

Surrogate – the person who carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple
Intended parents – the individual or couple who intend to be the parents of the child
Gestational surrogacy – the surrogate is not genetically related to the child e.g. their egg is not used
Traditional surrogacy – the surrogate’s egg is used and they are genetically related to the child

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that 2.1 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending to March 2023. But does domestic abuse have to involve violent or physical abuse?

In this episode, Tim is joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associates Claire Burton and Claudia Gilham.  Together they discuss what we mean when we talk about domestic abuse, how the media portrays victims and perpetrators, what to do if you find yourself in an abusive relationship and how domestic abuse impacts children.

If you'd like to find out more about how we can help you, visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/domestic-abuse or check out the resources below.

Resources:

• Domestic Abuse Act 2021 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/17/contents/enacted
• Claire’s blog: “Netflix and Chill” – How film and binge-watching can impact your understanding of domestic abuse - https://www.mills-reeve.com/insights/blogs/family-and-children/april-2023/how-film-can-impact-understanding-domestic-abuse
• Women's Aid - https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
• Refuge: https://refuge.org.uk/

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

When couples with children separate, the main concern revolves around child arrangements. The perception amongst mothers and fathers is that mothers always get custody of the children after separation, but is it true?

In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associate Claire Burton, discussing child arrangements and reaching an agreement or going to court about your children following a separation. 

Claire has expertise in cases involving children and where there are allegations of alcohol, drugs and domestic abuse. You can find more about Claire and how she can support you here: https://www.mills-reeve.com/people/claire-burton

To find out more about our children lawyers, you can visit our website https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/children

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Dealing with finances during a divorce can be quite complex and will often involve going to court to deal with the asset split. We’ve all seen TV shows portraying what happens in court during a divorce case, where the opposite party comes up with last-minute evidence. But is this the same in real life?

In this episode, Tim and Jen will discuss the process a couple will follow when trying to divide their assets on divorce, as specifically what happens when a court application is made.

To find out more about finances on divorce and splitting assets please visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/divorce/financial-settlement

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children, and don’t forget to subscribe and rate our podcast.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Dealing with finances on divorce is often the most complicated part of a divorce. Many people assume that in a divorce the financial assets are split 50/50. But is that true?

In this episode, Tim and Jen demystify the 50/50 asset split myth and discuss how the courts treat finances on divorce: what is the role of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, what are the orders the court can make and what are the different stages of sorting out your finances during a divorce.

To find out more about divorce and financial settlement and how our team can help please visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/divorce/financial-settlement

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mills-reeve-family-and-children, and don’t forget to subscribe and rate our podcast.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Getting divorced is an unfamiliar, unsettling and upsetting process for many people. But since the introduction of the “No fault” divorce laws, does the reason for ending a marriage impact the divorce proceedings?

In this episode, Tim and Jen discuss divorce: the process of legally ending a marriage in England and Wales, the requirements, the court application and timings, and what to consider.

To find out more about getting divorced and how our team can help please visit: https://www.mills-reeve.com/services/family-and-children/divorce

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates, and don’t forget to subscribe and rate our podcast.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.

Are prenups unromantic? In this episode, Tim and Jen discuss prenuptial agreements: what misconceptions there are, the benefits, what you need to consider and how to introduce them to your partner.

You can read more about how to introduce the topic of prenups to your partner here: Next generation focus: Discussing marital agreements

To find out more about our prenuptial agreements and how our team can help visit our website.

Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates, and don’t forget to subscribe and rate our podcast.

Our content explained
Every piece of content we create is correct on the date it’s published but please don’t rely on it as legal advice. If you’d like to speak to us about your own legal requirements, please contact one of our expert lawyers.