By Kate Banerjee, Head of Jones Myers Children’s Department Parental alienation is a particular family dynamic that can emerge when parents separate, in which the child becomes hostile and rejects the other parent. It  can occur when one parent or carer expresses freely and persistently unreasonable negative feelings or beliefs such as anger or fear towards the other parent. Such behaviour is often disruptive to the child’s actual experience with that parent and can cause widespread, long-lasting damage to relationships between children and parents. Parental alienation is a contentious t ..read more

By Jones Myers Solicitor Lindsey Cross   The recent Easter break is among key calendar events when tensions can run high – and many couples who have been thinking about separation and divorce decide they want a new start.    As a nation, we love our pets who are considered a key family member, particularly among children.  But what happens to the much loved animals in divorce and separation? Following an increase in the number of cases where the arrangement for pets is disputed, I share some key insights below:  What is the legal position on pets and separation? Sadly ..read more

Jones Myers is delighted to celebrate the success of fellow employers who go above and beyond to inspire  and develop their valued employees.      This ethos chimes with our niche family law firm’s  deep-rooted values – which is why we have sponsored the ‘Best Employer’ category of The Stray Ferret Business Awards. To merit this accolade, judges were seeking evidence of businesses who embrace a culture of high performance, place a strong emphasis on company values, and have systems in place to inspire their workforce to do their best.    We warmly congr ..read more

By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell A Financial Consent Order, which divides financial assets between separating couples, is vital in protecting them from future financial claims. Once approved by a court, a consent order becomes legally binding and its terms are enforceable in exactly the same way as an order made by a Judge after a contested court hearing.  The positive is that agreed orders are much less likely to need to be enforced than those imposed by a Judge. If your order is being ignored, we always advise, wherever possible, to contact your ex to understand why they haven’t ..read more

By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell A Financial Consent Order is vital for the immediate and long-term future of divorcing couples and their children, whose interests should always come first. The importance of the agreement, which divides financial assets between separating couples, cannot be downplayed – especially in protecting them from making future financial claims against each other. What is a Financial Consent Order? A legally binding document which details the main assets owned by divorcing couples and sets out the financial arrangements between them. Formalising the division of a ..read more

By Neil Dring, Jones Myers Senior Solicitor A recent study which found that just one fifth of divorcing couples considered pensions when dividing their assets reinforces how their importance as a valuable asset in relationship breakdown remains overlooked. Almost 30% of participants in the study said that they had actively waived their rights to the value of pensions, which can help to provide for separating parties in retirement. As the second highest value asset in a divorce settlement after the family home, pensions often make up on average 42% of the household wealth.  They are vital ..read more

By Senior Solicitor, Neil Dring   At the start of a new year many couples take the plunge to embark on the next stage of their lives and set up home together.   Amid the flurry of excitement and celebrations, it’s also important to consider the practical and legal implications of these momentous decisions.   Statistics from family law group Resolution reveal that almost 50 per cent of unmarried couples are unaware that they do not have the same legal rights as a married couple should they separate – or if  one of them dies. This lack of protection extends to savings ..read more

By Nicki Mitchell, Jones Myers Family Law Mediator and Child-Inclusive Mediator   Divorce and separation can be devastating for children who are understandably anxious about what lies ahead for them when their parents’ split up.   Their concerns include where they will live and go to school and if they will continue to see both parents, grandparents, wider family members, friends and family pets. At Jones Myers we always put children at the heart of relationship breakdown. Family Mediation Week, which takes place across January 22-26, puts the spotlight on mediation as a non-confron ..read more

For many of us the New Year is a formative period to make key changes in areas including jobs and careers, financial, health, lifestyle – and relationships. In our extensive experience, the majority of unhappily married and cohabitating couples do not suddenly decide to split up as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. One, or both of them, may well have been thinking about separating for some time while hoping that their relationship may improve. Sadly, in many cases things don’t improve and the strains of the festive period often trigger a decision to make the break.   &nbs ..read more

The festive season is a stressful period for parents juggling busy work schedules, school events and additional commitments – not to mention the financial pressures that Christmas brings. Separated parents face additional challenges of trying to ensure the holiday is magical and memorable for their children, whose interests should always come first. Children love Christmas and all that comes with it. Sadly, their enjoyment can be easily derailed by allowing friction with a separated parent to spill into the Christmas celebrations and tainting what should be a happy time. At this time of year ..read more