Family Law
11 min read
09/01/2025
Legal Brain Team
Family Law - Marriage & Divorce
Legal aspects of marriage, divorce, and family breakdown
Table of Contents
What is it?
Family law covers legal relationships within families, including marriage, divorce, child arrangements, and financial settlements.
Key Points
- 1No-fault divorce available since 2022
- 2Minimum 20 weeks between application and final order
- 3Financial settlements consider needs, resources, and contributions
- 4Child arrangements focus on child's best interests
- 5Prenuptial agreements can be binding
Typical Process
1
Submit divorce application to court
2
Serve application on other party
3
Wait for acknowledgment of service
4
Apply for conditional order (previously decree nisi)
5
Wait 6 weeks and 1 day minimum
6
Apply for final order (previously decree absolute)
Common Examples
- •Divorce applications and proceedings
- •Financial settlement negotiations
- •Child custody and contact arrangements
- •Prenuptial agreement disputes
- •Domestic violence protection orders
- •Property division after separation
Related Laws & Regulations
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (Section 1)
Children Act 1989 (Section 1)
Family Law Act 1996 (Section 33)
Civil Partnership Act 2004
Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020
When to Seek Professional Help
- ⚠Considering divorce or separation
- ⚠Complex financial arrangements
- ⚠Disputes over child arrangements
- ⚠Domestic violence concerns
- ⚠Need to protect assets before marriage
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