Admin, Author at Edinburgh Family Law

What to do if you don’t agree with prenuptial agreements

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:17+00:00July 22nd, 2015|Family Law News|

Prenuptial agreement are historically more enforceable in Scotland than the rest of the UK. So Scottish divorce lawyers are typically well versed in this area. And Beverley Johnson is no exception. Here’s a breakdown of what the agreements are and what alternatives are available.

However you feel about prenuptial agreements, they’re a very effective way of protecting your assets if you end up divorcing or separating. But if you’d rather not plan for such an event, there are other ways to keep yourself and your property safe.

Keep records of your pre-marriage life

Make sure you have solid records of your financial, property […]

Why divorce is easier in Scotland

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:17+00:00June 10th, 2015|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships|

You might have seen in the press the English divorce case between Richard and Ekaterina Fields where the judge has been encouraging both parties to reach a settlement as soon as possible.. As it stands the case is likely to cost £250K for a ten day hearing.

The arguments are about the division of £6M in matrimonial assets and Mrs Field’s level of maintenance. As it stands the case has already cost an estimated £1M and because of the unpredictable nature of English divorce cases, this is not surprising.

However in Scotland the law is much clearer about the possible outcomes of a divorce. Meaning cases tend to cost the couple less […]

Why marriage can give you a fairer deal

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00May 4th, 2015|Family Law News|

A few years ago a Supreme Court Judgement became a hot topic in the world of Scottish Divorce Law. It concerned the right to property by cohabiting partners who had recently separated.

The case, Gow vs Grant, was especially significant in Scotland because it was widely held as an example of Scottish Law’s flexibility compared to that of English. It also highlighted a point constantly seen in Scottish separation cases; married couples are in a better position.

Assumptions

As we mentioned in an earlier article, there is a tendency for cohabiting couples to assume they have the same rights as married couples. This […]

Mediation: It’s never too late to talk

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00April 14th, 2015|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Information|

We often get asked, ‘What makes a divorce as simple as possible?’ And our answer is always the same. Communication. In all our years as Scottish divorce lawyers we’ve seen countless cases where hassle could have been avoided by simply talking things through.

Mediation is the key to communication. It allows you and your spouse to sort out difficult issues without revisiting old arguments or getting off topic. Beverley Johnson is one of Edinburgh’s leading authorities on Scottish divorce. With our help you can gain a better understanding of the law and decide if mediation is right for you.

What is a […]

Divorce and custody in Scotland: Doing what’s best for your child

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00March 18th, 2015|Children & parenting issues, Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Information|

As we all know, the most important issue in child custody cases is always the welfare of the children. And Scottish divorce law is no different.

Just like the rest of the UK, the process of figuring out the best custody arrangement depends greatly on you and your partner. If you agree on what’s best for your child outside of court the process will be much easier all round.

How to reach an agreement

Obviously this is a time of high tension and communication can be difficult at best. Which is why many couples use mediators or solicitors to manage the conversation and […]

Registration is now open for UK Marriage Allowance

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00February 20th, 2015|Family Law News|

Beginning April, married couples and couples in civil partnerships can take advantage of the new marriage allowance helping them save up £212 a year…

What does this mean?

If you or your partner pay no income tax due to earning below the basic income threshold of £10,600, you can transfer up to £1,060 of your personal tax-free allowance to your partner (provided they are currently not paying more than the basic rate of income tax).

Registration is now open and applying online is straightforward. You can register your interest to receive the Allowance now – gov.uk/marriageallowance.

Divorce in Scotland; everything you need to know

Admin2018-08-08T15:47:44+00:00November 4th, 2014|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Information|

The end of a marriage is always a complicated and difficult time. The stresses and pressures of the situation are only heightened by the complicated legal issues that come with it. So it’s important to know your way around these issues and how to deal with them. Beverley Johnson is one of Scotland’s leading authorities on handling divorce in an amicable, sensitive manner.

As you’re probably aware, some of the most common issues are where you’re going to live, how to fairly handle your finances and, if you have children, who will get custody. These should all be considered before you […]

A beginner’s guide to collaborative divorce in Scotland

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00September 23rd, 2014|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Information|

Beverley Johnson is a local expert in divorce and collaborative law. Below is a breakdown of how it works and whether it’s for you.

Collaborative law

Communication can be difficult during a divorce. The inevitable tensions between you and your spouse can cloud issues and make it hard to move discussions forward. Collaborative law is a more productive way to deal with the issues whilst retaining a face-to-face dialogue.

How it works

You and your partner will each appoint your own lawyer and then attend ‘four way meetings’. These involve you, your spouse and both lawyers sitting down […]

How the recession changed divorce in Scotland

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00May 26th, 2014|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Family Law News, Information|

Since the recession hit we’ve all had to tighten our purse strings. And sadly this has meant more couples remaining in unhappy relationships because they think separation is too expensive.

A Grant Thornton study found half of solicitors stating the poor economy had led to a fall in the annual number of divorce proceedings. The couples and families involved generally don’t see this as avoiding divorce, just delaying it.

And it’s no surprise, we’re all aware the average household income has fallen and legal aid is now less available (or accessible). It could be seen as a good thing that couples are […]

Five ways to save money on your divorce

Admin2016-12-05T16:16:18+00:00April 24th, 2014|Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships, Information|

Divorce is always stressful. But it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think. With the separation itself stretching your budget, it’s important to reduce costs wherever you can.

Beverley Johnson, one of Edinburgh and Lothian’s top authorities on divorce law, explains how.

1. You don’t have to go to court

Court cases are expensive. A long case will run up high legal fees with your lawyer, which is the last thing you need. Not to mention the added frustration and ill-feeling this can bring.

Look into alternatives, such as collaborative law, arbitration and mediation. These processes can […]

Admin

About Admin

Keep records of your pre-marriage life

Assumptions

What is a […]

How to reach an agreement

What does this mean?

Collaborative law

How it works

1. You don’t have to go to court