If you’re navigating child arrangements following separation, the family court system has fundamentally changed. Child Focused Courts now replace multiple hearings stretched across months with a compressed 12-week process that prioritises your child’s voice from the outset. Understanding how this new procedure works helps you prepare effectively and present your case within an unfamiliar framework.

Over 3.5 million couples in England and Wales live together without marriage, yet most don’t realise they have virtually no legal rights if their relationship ends. The government’s recent consultation proposes significant reform – but the law today remains unchanged, leaving cohabitants financially vulnerable.

When a religious marriage ceremony in England isn’t accompanied by civil registration, it has no legal status under English law. Understanding whether your religious marriage is legally recognised – and what protection you have if it isn’t – can be the difference between financial security and vulnerability when relationships break down.

Certain patterns become clear during summer holidays – including which summer holiday arrangements survive and which fall apart by August. The difference rarely comes down to how carefully they’re drafted. Most parents focus on splitting time fairly, negotiating precise dates, ensuring mathematical equality. Then the summer arrives, and the arrangement that looked perfect on paper becomes impossible to follow because nobody accounted for how children actually experience six weeks off school.

Summer holiday disputes between separated parents follow a predictable pattern – assumptions made, plans booked without consultation, conflict escalating just as term ends. Learn why these disputes happen, the real cost to children and families, and the practical steps that prevent summer plans becoming summer battles.

Every summer, separated parents discover that booking flights isn’t the same as having permission to leave the country with their children. If you’re planning to take your children abroad after separation, there’s one question that needs answering before you book anything – and the consequences of getting it wrong extend far beyond a ruined holiday.

School holiday arrangements are where many separated parents discover that what they thought was agreed actually wasn’t. Learn why school holiday arrangements fall apart 2-3 weeks before departure, and the three specific provisions that prevent repeated conflict year after year.

When parents cannot agree on where children should live or how much time they spend with each parent, the family court makes decisions based on a seven-factor welfare checklist set out in the Children Act 1989. This guide explains exactly what judges consider.

Will the family court listen to their child’s wishes? We explain how children’s voices reach the court through CAFCASS and Section 7 reports, and clarifies the crucial distinction between being heard and having wishes determine the outcome.

The starting point in financial settlements is equality. Not “who earned what” or “who brought what”. Equal sharing of everything accumulated during the marriage. The court can depart from equality for non-marital contributions – inheritance, family money, pre-marital wealth. But only when specific conditions exist. Learn what matters and what doesn’t.

Planning a family court application? Most require a MIAM first or courts reject them. Learn the requirements, exemptions, and how to access £500 government support.

The government’s recent announcement that it will repeal the presumption of parental involvement has been described by some as a “historic victory” and by others as a troubling shift that misdiagnoses the real problem. If you’re navigating child arrangements following separation, understanding what this change actually means – and what it doesn’t – matters enormously.

Court hearing postponed. Again. Another three months minimum. No new date yet. Sound familiar? Family court delays now exceed 60 weeks for many cases – that’s over a year of life on hold. And whilst you’re waiting, life doesn’t pause: the job you couldn’t take, the house sale that fell through, the children asking when things will finally be settled. There’s a different route. One that resolves matters in weeks, not months, for a fraction of the cost. Find out why 77% of mediation cases reach successful settlement

Think your spouse’s bad behaviour will affect your divorce settlement? Family law solicitor Andrew Smith explains the uncomfortable truth about conduct and financial outcomes.

Family breakdowns happen. When they do, finding peaceful solutions matters most.

Are you facing separation challenges? Looking for better ways to resolve family disputes?

Family Mediation Week runs from 26 to 30 January 2026, offering you the perfect chance to discover how mediation can transform difficult situations into manageable solutions.

Discover practical self-care strategies to protect your emotional wellbeing after separation. Learn how prioritising yourself isn’t selfish but essential for recovery. Fulford Legal Services offers compassionate guidance for navigating this challenging transition with dignity and hope.

Life after separation brings many challenges, but perhaps none more immediate than adjusting to a new financial reality. When one household becomes two, the financial impact can be significant. But with careful planning, you can create financial stability during this transitional period. Let’s explore how to build a practical budget that works for your new circumstances.

The first working Monday of January is often called “Divorce Day” by family law solicitors. As we enter 2026, many people across Yorkshire are reassessing their relationships and considering significant life changes. If you’re thinking about separation this January, you’re not alone – and there are good reasons why the new year prompts so many to seek family law advice.

The festive season often brings joy and celebration, but for separated families, Christmas can present unique challenges. This guide offers practical advice to help separated parents create a positive Christmas experience for their children despite the complexities of their new family structure.

Did you know that “common law marriage” is a myth? Despite what many believe, unmarried couples who live together have virtually none of the legal protections that married couples enjoy. Understanding how to protect yourself has never been more important.

Unmarried couples have no automatic property rights in the UK. Learn how to protect your home and financial interests with legally binding agreements from an experienced York family solicitor.

The UK government has announced plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989. This change marks a significant shift in how family courts approach child arrangement cases, especially those involving allegations of abuse.