Explaining family law

Working with a lawyer during separation can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. In this episode, Tim and Jen share their top tips for making the process smoother and more effective. They break down three key areas: preparing for your first meeting, communicating efficiently with your lawyer, and collaborating on documents. The discussion covers practical advice on setting meeting expe...

Every January, headlines scream about a surge in break‑ups after the holidays – but is the first Monday really the tipping point for marriages? In this episode, Tim and Jen tackle one of the biggest myths in the media: Divorce Day. They discuss the notion that the first Monday after the Christmas and New Year break sees a surge of divorce enquiries. Analysing Mills & Reeve data from recent yea...

Navigating divorce is never easy, but when multiple jurisdictions are involved, the process can quickly become overwhelming. In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Chloe Oudiz, a divorce coach and author of 'Don't Screw Up Your Divorce.' Chloe shares her extensive background, including her experience as a divorcee navigating multiple jurisdictions and cross-border parenting arrangements. Chloe...

Divorce and separation can bring a storm of emotions -guilt, shame, grief, anger, and exhaustion - that make even simple decisions feel impossible. In this episode, Tim and Jen sit down with Petra Brunzell, a seasoned divorce coach with over 20 years of experience, to explore the emotional landscape of relationship breakdowns. Petra shares her personal journey through a high-conflict divorce and e...

Divorce and separation can unleash a wave of emotions - guilt, shame, grief, anger, and even exhaustion - that often catch people off guard and make decision-making feel overwhelming. In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Julie de Ruiter, an experienced divorce coach and registered psychotherapeutic counsellor, to unpack the emotional realities of relationship breakdown. Julie shares how coun...

With divorce often bringing financial uncertainty and anxiety, many people wonder when and how to seek the right support. In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Steve Hennessy, a chartered financial planner and Resolution-accredited IFA at Beeswax Wealth Management, who brings extensive experience guiding clients through the financial side of divorce. Together, they explore the crucial role of...

Recently named as Resolution's Firm of the Year, Mills & Reeve Senior Associates Ellen Wilkinson and Matthew Saunderson join hosts Tim Whitney and Jen Curtis to discuss what Resolution means to them and their clients.  In this episode, they explore what Resolution stands for, the benefits a client gets from using a Resolution lawyer and how Resolution's code of practice fundamentally re-shapes...

Adopting a child from overseas is usually associated with celebrities. But is it an option available to ordinary people? In this episode, Tim and Jennifer are joined by Mills & Reeve Senior Associate Abigail Pearse, who specialises in child abduction, to demystify the complex world of international child adoption. Together, they explore the different legal routes for international adoption, in...

Taking a child abroad without the other parent’s consent or not returning a child from abroad after an agreed holiday, is classed as child abduction. But is child abduction a criminal offence? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Partner Zoe Fleetwood, a specialist in child abduction and international children law. Together, they explore the myth that child abduction is alw...

With more families living across borders, questions about moving children internationally after separation are increasingly common. But can parents move their children abroad without the child’s other parent permission? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Associate Annie Wogel, who specialises in international family law. Together, they tackle the myth that a parent can mo...

When it comes to an international divorce and there are connections to multiple countries, choosing the best jurisdiction for financial matters is crucial. But is London really the divorce capital of the world and the best place for financial settlements? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Partner Melissa Lesson, an expert on financial claims for international divorces. M...

With international families on the rise and global mobility at an all-time high, more couples are finding themselves with connections to more than one country. But what happens when an international marriage breaks down? Does the country where you got married automatically handle your divorce, or is it all about where you live now? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Princ...

When a couple separates, splitting their finances can be quite difficult, especially when it comes to pensions, as they can be one of the most valuable assets on divorce and are often overlooked. In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associate, David Hickmott. David has extensive experience in advising on complex financial matters, including pensions. Together they...

Farming is not just a business. It’s also a lifestyle and culture, making it different from other family businesses and subject to various market and natural factors. So when a farming couple separates, how are the assets split? What should it be considered? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associate, Ania Tarasiewicz. Ania specialises in complex family law ca...

For business owners, divorce can be a particularly difficult time, especially regarding the daily operations when both parties or other family members are involved, leaving them wondering what will happen to the business on divorce. Can the courts order a sale of the business? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associate, Andrew Moore. Andrew specialises in fina...

Family trusts are established for a wide variety of reasons. They can be part of a wider family strategy of wealth protection for the tax-efficient transfer of assets between generations, set up to hold property assets or be part of the overall structure of a family business or investment company. But what happens when a couple separates and trusts are involved? In this episode, Tim and Jen are jo...

Many believe that when unmarried couples live together after a few years they become common law spouses and that the rules of married couples apply to them. But do common law marriages receive the same tax exemptions as married couples when their partner dies? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Private Client Principal Associate, Emma Geale. Emma advises on a wide range o...

When couples separate amicably, they often look for ways to make the process as smooth and cost-effective as possible. This can involve exploring various legal options and approaches that can help them reach a fair and mutually agreeable resolution without unnecessary conflict. But do they have to instruct separate lawyers when going through divorce or separation?  In this episode, Tim and Jen are...

When couples look to separate without going to court, mediation is a well-known option. However, how many have heard of hybrid mediation? By bringing together the best of both the family and the civil mediation models, hybrid mediation allows for lawyer support in the mediation room. But is it just a more expensive way of mediating?  In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Suzanne Kingston. Suz...

Family arbitration is a great option for those who want to settle their case outside of court using an arbitrator. But is arbitration just for the wealthy who don’t want their cases reported in the press? In this episode, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Partner Jane Ingleby, from our Leeds office. Together they discuss family arbitration: what it is, its benefits, the process, its limi...

Resolving disputes without going to court is a viable option for couples who want a more amicable approach to agreeing to the terms of their divorce. Mediation is one of the most popular approaches, and child inclusive mediation is a great option for couples with children, as it allows children to have their voices heard. But when parents disagree about what they want, should mediators ask their c...

From 7 to 11 October, the family and children team at Mills & Reeve is running Children Law Awareness Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about children law and its impact on families. During this week, we will be supporting the team, with bonus episodes, and in this episode, we share some highlights from episode 2, where Tim and Jen discuss family mediation and how it can help resolvi...

From 7 to 11 October, the family and children team at Mills & Reeve is running Children Law Awareness Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about children law and its impact on families. During this week, we will be supporting the team with bonus episodes. In this episode, Tim and Jen hand the reigns to Mills & Reeve Partner Jane Ingleby and Trainee Solicitor Abbie Green, where they...

From 7 to 11 October, the family and children team at Mills & Reeve is running Children Law Awareness Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about children law and its impact on families. During this week, we will be supporting the team, with bonus episodes, and in this episode, we share some highlights from episode 7, where Jen, Tim and their colleague Claire Burton discussed child arran...

Unmarried couples are the fastest-growing family type in the UK. So with couples deciding not to get married and instead buying property and living together, what happens to the house if the relationship breaks down? Is signing the sale contract all they need to do? In the first episode of series 2 of the Explaining family law podcast, Tim and Jen are joined by Mills & Reeve Principal Associat...