Money Matters
Laura Hails, Legal Executive
For further information regarding the free law clinic, or to make an appointment, please telephone on 01580 762248 or email info@pengelly-rylands.co.uk.
If you have recently separated from your husband, wife or partner, you may be discussing between you how you will separate your assets.
We understand during these difficult economic times, that costs are a factor in family matters and that people are concerned about instructing solicitors due to the fees involved.
We believe that there is a need in the local area for people to have some initial free advice so that they can make an informed choice as to how to proceed. We are therefore pleased to announce that we are opening a free family law clinic which will cover topics including divorce, children, financial settlements, cohabitation and domestic abuse.
The clinic is open on alternate Thursdays and the initial appointment will be free. This allows you time to explain your problem and us time to offer you some advice so that you can make an informed decision about what you wish to do going forward.
Many people believe that we split all the assets down the middle, but that is not true. We have to look at various factors, primarily the needs of the children, and also the parties’ income, earning capacity and standard of living which then may produce a move away from 50/50 to accommodate the needs of the party in the weaker position.
We also assess whether there is an argument for one party to receive maintenance from the other. This would be in addition to any maintenance which should be paid for the benefit of the children and is paid in certain situations where for example a mother is not able to work full time or where one party has been the homemaker throughout the marriage.
There are a lot of myths about settlements and no two cases are identical. As members of Resolution, we promote its values and will always try to reach an agreement without the necessity of Court action.
We encourage the couple to communicate with each other and to try to keep matters as amicable as possible by discussing what they want. We have found round table meetings to be very effective in achieving this result, which means that a couple and their solicitors sit round a table to try to negotiate a fair settlement. It also allows the couple a chance to air any other grievances.
Published April 2011
