Do you and your partner intend to purchase a home? Maybe you’ve decided to put off getting married or wait until you’re higher up the housing ladder to start saving for one. Have you shared a home in your partner’s name that you have owned jointly for a long time? This article is a must-read…
One in ten cohabiting couples mistakenly believed that they would automatically be entitled to inherit their partner’s share of any property that they lived in together, according to recent research by the insurance company Direct Line, which found that 38% of cohabiting couples in the UK were unsure of what their rights would be should…
The legislation governing a divorce’s financial settlement can be extremely complicated. The Court’s broad discretion in selecting who receives what is one of the key causes of this. There is no precise calculator that can tell you, depending on your circumstances, what a reasonable financial settlement on divorce should be, other than child support. This…
Even in the best of circumstances, estimating the value of a shareholding can be difficult, but doing so in the context of a retroactive market can be particularly onerous. Companies established or acquired during a marriage are regarded as matrimonial property in Scotland. Experts will attempt to determine the company’s value at the “relevant date,”…
When you and your partner separate, you will have to decide what the care arrangements will be for your children. In some circumstances, parents are able to sort these arrangements out directly between them by agreeing on what is in the best interests of their child(ren). On occasion, parents can have different points of view and…
There are many unpleasant surprises associated with the dissolution of a marriage or civil partnership. This holds true for all facets of your relationship, including your financial situation. Secret credit card debts can all too frequently be the cause of a lot of grief and distress when assets and liabilities are disclosed with the intention…
Should being separated from your pet hinder your bond with them? We value our dogs and frequently think of them as additional family members. What happens to our pets when we split up? Who gets to keep the family pet can be the most difficult topic, even though it may not be at the top…
It is true to remark that this is an uncertain period in which we find ourselves. After Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her resignation, the pound decreased in value relative to the dollar. The UK economy is in a bit of a bind right now due to a crisis in the cost of living and…
The Scottish Law Commission (“the SLC”) yesterday released its highly anticipated—at least among lawyers—Report on Cohabitation law. As was to be expected, the report suggests some very significant changes to the law governing cohabitants’ separation claims. Some of such suggestions are highlighted in this article. Definition of cohabitant The Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (referred…
What does guardianship entail, and what am I required to do? Do you understand what it means to become a guardian? You may have heard the terms ‘Guardianship’ and ‘Guardian’ without understanding the actual meaning. This article addresses the guardianship of individuals, sometimes known as adults with incapacity. Here, we will explore what becoming a guardian…