cmathison, Author at Edinburgh Family Law

You’ve had a terrible Christmas and want to separate – what now?

cmathison2024-02-21T11:18:12+00:00January 4th, 2024|Christmas, Divorce, Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Separation Agreements|

In our experience, Christmas can be the final straw for relationships that have been delicate for some time. The cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated this further with heightened financial concerns magnifying issues.

Many couples were already at breaking point before Christmas but the last thing they wanted to do is to make Christmas even more strained by voicing their relationship doubts.

Online visits to our divorce and separation webpages are 30 percent higher during January and February every year. “Divorce Month” isn’t a happy occasion and contacting a solicitor can be a daunting process. We know there will be many couples who have […]

How to protect yourself from Domestic abuse over Christmas

cmathison2024-02-21T11:34:58+00:00December 22nd, 2023|Christmas, Domestic Abuse, Family Law News|

The Christmas period often brings a reported increase in police call-outs for incidents of domestic abuse. Financial pressures, alcohol and being cooped up together for long periods all contribute to a regular rise in domestic abuse.

The Christmas period often causes further difficulties for victims with fewer opportunities to report abuse and routes to safety being shut down. School closures for the holidays also mean that opportunities for children to report abuse and access support are restricted.

Protection from Domestic Abuse can absolutely be obtained in all relationships if you have been abused by your former spouse or partner. One of our […]

Planning on proposing at Christmas? Here’s what you need to consider

cmathison2024-02-21T11:35:50+00:00November 15th, 2023|Christmas, Prenuptial|

Christmas is one of the most popular times to get engaged in the UK and according to Bridebook UK, a quarter of partners get down on one knee in December.

Christmas has the romance and magic of Valentine’s Day but with less cliché. It’s a time when kindness and generosity are everywhere, and people spend a lot of time with their loved ones.

No one wants to think about courts and lawyers when you’re planning on popping the question but did you know that at its core, a marriage is a legal contract which significantly changes your legal status?

In […]

Talk Money Week: Edinburgh lawyers speak out on how to spot and stop financial control

cmathison2024-02-21T11:39:02+00:00November 7th, 2023|Family Law News, Money|

An Edinburgh Family Law firm is raising awareness of financially controlling relationships in a bid to encourage victims to seek help.

Johnson Legal Family Law has reported that financial control is a form of domestic abuse and that it’s present in 99% of domestic abuse cases.

The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 states that abusive behaviour can include making someone dependent on, or subordinate to their partner, isolating them from friends and family or controlling their day-to-day activities.

Beverley Johnson, Head of Family Law and Director of Johnson Legal Family Law, said: “Financial control deprives a partner of their financial autonomy leaving them feeling […]

Co-Parents urged to make Christmas arrangements amid 8-week warning

cmathison2024-02-21T11:06:39+00:00October 30th, 2023|Children & parenting issues, Christmas, Co-Parenting, Separation Agreements|

Head of Family Law Beverley Johnson was recently interviewed about co-parenting arrangements over Christmas and her advice was featured in a number of newspapers including The The Herald, Glasgow Times Times and Dunfermline Press.

Separated parents have been urged to make their Christmas arrangements “as soon as possible” to avoid ending up in court.

Christmas is fast approaching – and with just eight weeks to go – one family law firm has urged separated parents to negotiate where their children are spending the festive season.

If co-parents cannot agree on where their children will […]

How much does a divorce cost and how long does it take?

cmathison2024-02-21T11:30:21+00:00October 25th, 2023|Divorce, Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships|

How much does a divorce cost?

The cost of a divorce ultimately depends on the case, the people involved and the extent of the dispute between you and your ex-spouse. One of our Family Lawyers Hayley Mitchell speaks about this in more detail on our TikTok channel.

At your first appointment with your solicitor, we would consider your circumstances, the extent of the dispute or future dispute and give you an indication of what costs you can expect to resolve your divorce.

Simplified process

The cheapest way to get a divorce is by using the simplified procedure, however, this is not […]

Tips for celebrating Halloween as separated parents

cmathison2024-02-21T11:51:02+00:00October 20th, 2023|Children & parenting issues, Co-Parenting, Halloween, Separation Agreements|

If you have young children, they are likely to be excited at the prospect of dressing up, trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins this Halloween. However, for divorced or separated parents, this might cause impending anxiety around how to celebrate the holiday.

Many separated parents focus on family-oriented holidays like Summer and Christmas. However, other holidays like Halloween can be just as important for children.

Johnson Legal Family Law has compiled some guidance around how to ensure your children enjoy October 31st with as little stress as possible.

1. Think about what your children want: Ultimately, your decisions should satisfy the best interests […]

Everything you need to know about father’s rights and responsibilities in Scotland

cmathison2024-02-21T11:27:42+00:00October 18th, 2023|Children & parenting issues, Co-Parenting, Fathers Rights, Separation Agreements|

What are parental rights and responsibilities?

Parental rights and responsibilities allow parents to make decisions about their child’s life. This includes the child’s name, the child’s religion, where the child lives and which school the child will go to. Parental rights remain in force until the child is 16. However, the responsibility on a parent to provide guidance to a child exists until the child reaches 18.

What parental rights does a father have?

A child’s mother automatically has full parental rights and responsibilities when the child is born.

A child’s father has parental rights and responsibilities if:

He is married to the child’s […]

Top 5 tips to look after your mental health during a separation or divorce

cmathison2024-02-21T11:53:28+00:00September 28th, 2023|Divorce, Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Separation Agreements|

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone’s mental health.

When you’re going through a separation or divorce, it is natural to have feelings of worry, stress and anxiety which can have an impact on your mental health. The legal process itself can feel complex and alien, even with expert guidance. After the legal part is finished, there are the unknowns for the future.

It’s really important to take good care of your mental health during this process. This will support you to make strong, informed decisions to move forward with your life.

Here are […]

cmathison

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