Wherever possible, parents decide this between themselves, and the law encourages you to reach your own agreement rather than have one imposed. If you cannot agree, you can ask a court to make a child arrangements order, but that is usually a last resort. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we take a collaborative approach and work with both sides to find an arrangement that puts your children first.

You can apply for a divorce yourself, but most people choose a solicitor once children, finances or property are involved, because those arrangements are where mistakes become costly. A solicitor makes sure your settlement is fair and properly recorded, so it holds up later. At Brockbanks Solicitors, our family law team handles the paperwork and the negotiations, so you can focus on moving forward.

A living together agreement is a formal document that sets out your financial and legal responsibilities as a couple, including property ownership and arrangements for children or shared assets. It is another name for a cohabitation agreement. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we draft it to reflect your wishes and give both of you clarity for the future.

A separation agreement is a legal document that records what you and your spouse have agreed about things like children, property, money and bills while you live apart. It is often used by couples who are not yet sure whether the difficulties are permanent. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we work with you patiently and without judgement to put a clear agreement in place.

No — the law treats unmarried couples very differently from married ones, and it does not matter how long you have lived together. This often comes as a surprise and can leave one partner more exposed than they expected. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we explain exactly where you stand and help you protect your position with a clear agreement.

A child arrangements order is a court order that sets out who a child lives with and how much time they spend with each parent. It is used when parents cannot agree between themselves and need the matter settled formally. Our family law team will explain whether an order is the right step for you and support you through the process if it is.

Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force, you no longer have to blame your spouse — England and Wales now have a “no-fault” system, so you simply confirm the marriage has broken down. This removed much of the conflict from the early stages of divorce. Our solicitors explain the process clearly and guide you through each application, so you always know what happens next.

Not at all — planning sensibly for the future doesn’t take the romance out of a relationship, it simply means you both know where you stand. Many couples find it brings reassurance rather than worry. We approach these conversations calmly and professionally, so both partners feel heard and fairly treated.

A separation agreement is not automatically binding in the way a court order is, and a court keeps the final say over finances on a divorce. That said, where an agreement has been properly drawn up — with both parties taking independent legal advice, being open about their finances, and entering into it freely — a court will often give it real weight and may well uphold its terms. We make sure yours is drawn up carefully so it stands the best chance of being upheld.

No. There is no such thing as common law marriage in England and Wales, so living together for years does not give you the legal rights of a married couple. Many people only discover this when a relationship ends. Our family law team helps unmarried couples put proper protections in place so they are not caught out.