Search site
Call our office
Contact us
Make an enquiry
Please find below the latest blog posts from our Family team.
JCP Solicitors has been nominated for the esteemed LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2024 , recognising the firm’s diligent and exceptional service for Family Law clients in Wales and beyond. The LexisNexis Family Law Awards celebrate the best in family...
Our Family Law team at JCP Solicitors is often asked about divorce settlements, child-centred co-parenting approaches, and pre-nuptial agreements among other issues to resolve. However, the fastest-growing family setup is the unmarried cohabiting couple:...
Angela Killa, Director in the Family Law team at JCP Solicitors in Carmarthen, gives advice to families and potential surrogates considering the surrogacy route. In the last 12 years, this area of family law has grown by 350%. So, if you are considering...
As we celebrate Santes Dwynwen Day (the Welsh love saint’s day), Valentine’s Day, or both, many of us will be looking forward to celebrating with the ones we love with traditional chocolates and flowers. However, as unromantic as it may...
Angela Killa, Director in the Family team at JCP Solicitors, offers advice and guidance to couples who plan to start divorce proceedings. Although the length of marriages in the UK is increasing and divorce rates are going down, 42% of UK marriages end in...
My ex-partner and I split this year and I don't want our young daughter to get caught up in disputes about who has her over Christmas. How should we approach this? It is important that separated families get their contact arrangements for the...
In October 2023, Jade’s Law was announced by the Justice Secretary - marking a change to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, aiming to better protect children from harm. The introduction of Jade’s Law will see the Bill amended so that a parent...
Angela Killa, Director in our Family team, shares her top tips on money management while navigating the divorce process. 1. Keep communication lines as open as possible While divorce is an undeniably stressful process, your...
Angela Killa , Director in the Family team at JCP Solicitors and based in the firm’s Carmarthen office, has recently been appointed to the advisory panel for the Children’s Commissioner for Wales – a prestigious role which will see her...
The difficult decision to start divorce proceedings can leave you with an abundance of questions. How do I start proceedings? How long does it take? And how will our children be affected? These are just some of the most common questions couples ask when...
“I’ve been to the Family Court and I don’t agree with the order made, what can I do?” You may have the right to appeal a decision that has been made by the Family Court. If your appeal is successful, the Court can vary or discharge...
The much-anticipated report on Surrogacy from The Law Commission was published on 29 March 2023. It has been 6 years in the making and the result of an in-depth consultation process. The report, also accompanied with a draft bill, proposes a number of...
Divorce is frequently ranked as one of the top five most stressful events in a person’s life. With couples previously forced to legally blame the other for the breakup, added to the emotional strain, physical upheaval, and financial fallout - it can...
Surrogacy has hit the headlines this week with Australian actress Rebel Wilson announcing that she has become a mother for the first time via surrogate. The comedic actress announced the birth of her child and shared an image of her daughter Royce Lilly,...
We are pleased to welcome Jenna Birch and Rachael Price to the JCP Solicitors' fold with both bringing a combination of talent, professionalism and experience to their new roles. Jenna is an Associate Solicitor in JCP’s Commercial Property team,...
Congratulations to Angela Killa , Associate Solicitor in our Family Team on her appointment to Resolution ’s Children Committee. Having been on the Law Society’s Children Panel for over 10 years, this important new role will...
"I’m separated from my son’s mother, who has severe personal issues. If I were to pass away unexpectedly, she would be unsuitable to care for him. How can I ensure he is cared for appropriately if this happens?" Having a Will in...
"I’m in an established relationship as a same-sex couple and we are keen to start a family. My sister has offered to be a surrogate and we’re delighted, but what do we need to know?" More people are turning to surrogacy every year to...
Angela Killa shines a light on the process of dissolving a Civil Partnership. "My partner and I have been in a Civil Partnership for five years but we have grown apart and have made a joint decision to call it a day. We have no...
"My partner has just proposed to me and we are very excited about our future together. We are in a same-sex relationship but we don’t know whether to get married or have a civil partnership. What’s the difference?" Firstly -...
"My husband and I have decided to split. We have no children and we want to keep things amicable. Must we apportion blame for our marriage breakdown?" MPs have approved a no-fault divorce ruling – a change to the law...
Pre-nuptial agreements are becoming more common in the UK – they are certainly not just for movie stars or tech billionaires. Many people opt to sign a pre-nup, for example, if they run a business with their partner and they want to protect it in the...
"My wife and I are divorcing, and our mediation sessions ended badly. She has always taken charge of our finances and is now being dishonest about how much money we accrued as a couple. We don’t have children to consider, but I’m feeling...
"I am in the early stages of gender reassignment and most of my family and friends know about this. I want to change my name on my passport, driving licence and other official papers. How complicated is this?" Changing your name on official...
"My ex-partner and I split recently and things are fractious. We don't want our 10-year-old daughter to get caught up in disputes about who has her over the school holidays. How should we approach this?" You are wise to try to avoid...
"I own a farming business with my husband and our son, who is making wedding plans with his partner. We are very happy with this news but we are keen to protect the business as a family asset. Can a legal agreement help...
The pandemic has left its mark on every part of our life, including the way our Courts function. However, measures were put in place very quickly to ensure the public had access to justice despite the restrictions on face-to-face contact. So, if you have a...
My partner and I run a successful business and, after a decade of living together we have decided to tie the knot. Without being unromantic, we are keen to protect the business, and our staff who are like family, from disruption if we were to split. We...
My six-year-old daughter has hearing problems. My ex-husband and I, who both have Parental Responsibility, cannot agree on whether she should have a procedure, under general anaesthetic, to have grommets fitted. This disagreement is causing us all...
"My partner and I have lived together for a decade and have talked about marrying, but the added complications of Covid-19 have slowed our plans. As an older couple, with our own properties, would marriage put us on a better legal footing?" ...
My husband and I are considering a divorce. He was the main carer for our children when they were growing up, while I was the primary wage-earner, so I paid off our mortgage, over the years. We own our home jointly, but would I now be entitled to a larger...
Yesterday I came across an article where a reader had posed a question as follows: “My marriage is in crisis and I am wondering who has more rights on the property.” The reader went on to say that he had paid the mortgage in entirety himself...
In our Ask The Legal Expert column we get the latest specialist advice from JCP Solicitors. This month Angela Killa, who is in the Family Law team, and is based in JCP Solicitors’ Carmarthen office, tackles an issue around...
The news that MPs have approved the no-fault divorce ruling will be welcomed by many legal experts, who have seen some couples left in limbo due to prevailing legislation on the matter. However, couples seeking a no-fault divorce will have to wait until at...
During this extraordinary time, you may be worried about continuing to afford to pay spousal/civil partner maintenance to your former spouse/civil partner under a Court order because of a significant reduction in your income. Similarly, you may be someone...
A video blog by Angela Killa, Associate Solicitor at JCP Solicitors. At an uncertain time for most of us, many of us will be concerned about the health and well-being of our children. Many parents who are no longer parenting together will be worried about...
Our family team recognise the need for both vulnerable clients, but also those who had planned to separate from their partner and are now unable to do so, to access good quality advice. Some will experience a newfound togetherness and a way of working...
At an uncertain time for most of us, many of us will be concerned about the health and well-being of our children. Many parents who are no longer parenting together will be worried about how to deal with the current coronavirus outbreak and how this...
We are often asked if it is necessary to instruct a Solicitor to deal with a divorce, now a DIY divorce is available online via the Court Service. In my experience, even if a divorcing couple feels able to keep things amicable, a marital split is still...
My partner and I are splitting up. While we are working hard to keep things friendly, for the sake of our 11-year-old son, I am worried where I stand with access, since I am not named on his birth certificate. Is it too late to do anything about this? It...
My son and daughter-in-law are going through a very heated divorce. We have tried hard to stay neutral but, despite this, our daughter-in-law is refusing to let us see our 8-year-old grand-daughter, who we are very close to and who, frankly, we feel needs...
My wife and I have struggled to conceive and my sister-in-law is becoming a surrogate mum for us. How do we make sure we become the baby’s legal parents? Surrogacy can bring great joy to those involved. However, it can be emotionally taxing and...
My ex-wife has been offered a job in another part of the country and she plans to relocate, within months, with our 12-year-old son. I’m very unhappy about him switching schools, since he’s had behavioural issues, but is now settling. She feels...
Two legal teams at Welsh law firm JCP Solicitors are celebrating after scooping a trio of award wins in quick succession. JCP Solicitors’ Residential Property team won Conveyancing Team of the Year at the Wales Legal Awards, while the law firm’s...
Two teams from JCP Solicitors have been shortlisted for two prestigious law awards. The Residential Property Team and the Family Team have both been shortlisted in the Wales Legal Awards 2019, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Cardiff...
My husband and I have been married for 28 years - living separately for a year. I want a divorce, but my husband is opposed. I’ve noticed the media reports of a woman unable to divorce her husband and I fear being left in the same limbo state....
Child Arrangements Orders can be a vital tool in helping separated families settle their domestic differences, and in helping children to enjoy stability. My ex-wife and I have a Child Arrangement Order that sees our 14-year-old daughter spending alternate...
Nobody enters into marriage lightly, but the ongoing case of Owens Vs Owens is likely to give even the most starry-eyed couples pause for thought. This case sees a woman who wants to divorce her husband of 40 years unable to do so, despite the fact that...
My seven year old daughter is currently in private school and my ex-husband and I had intended that she would attend the same fee-paying school until university. Fair provision was made for me in the divorce proceedings, but no specific allocation was made...
I am happy to be getting married next year - I have left it late in life, having dedicated myself to building a business portfolio. I would always want to do the right thing by my husband, but if we were to split I would worry about the...
Meet Jill Bulteel, a Director and Head of Family in South East Wales for JCP Solicitors. A Senior Practitioner, Jill specialises in divorce, financial and care proceedings, and the Children’s Act. Jill is a member of the Law Society Children Panel, an...
Olympian Tom Daley and his husband Dustin Lance Black made a romantic announcement on Valentine’s Day this year – revealing the news that they are expecting a child, presumably via a surrogate. Surrogacy is an increasingly common option, both...
Angela Killa, Associate Solicitor within the Family Law team here at JCP Solicitors, tackles an issue around parental disputes over taking a child abroad to live. My ex-wife is considering taking a job in Germany, which would see her take our...
Angela Killa, from the Family Law team, tackles an issue around parental disputes over medical treatment for a child. My six-year-old daughter has hearing problems. My ex-husband and I cannot agree on whether she should have a procedure, under...
The engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has got the nation abuzz with excitement – and no doubt broken a few hopeful hearts too. The charming couple have much planning ahead of them for the wedding, with the big day likely to spread oodles of...
Angela Killa, a Solicitor in the Family Law team shares her advice regarding Christmas arrangements for separated families. "My ex partner and I split this year and I don't want our young daughter to get caught up in any disputes about who...
Divorce costs depend upon the particular case. In every case, there are Court fees, which are currently £550 for the filing of your petition. This includes the fee for applying for the decree absolute. Even if your divorce is relatively straightforward...
My 9-year-old daughter lives with my ex, who has remarried. My ex-wife and I had a recent row and she’s refusing to let me take our daughter abroad next month, as previously arranged. What can I do? Disputes such as these are stressful for all...
Angela Killa, from our Family Law team, tackles a common divorce issue where a couple are divorcing with recrimination on both sides. My 13-year-old daughter is becoming distant from me and my wife has said, in front of our child, that spending time with...
This month, Angela Killa, from the Family Law team at JCP Solicitors, tackles an issue around leaves of absence from school. We’re planning a family reunion in the US for a relative’s 70th birthday, so we need to travel on a particular date....
My parents and I are in a farming partnership and I’m planning to get married at the end of next year. Without wanting to sound unromantic, how can I protect the business and keep it outside the matrimonial assets in the unlikely event that my...
This month Angela Killa, based in our Carmarthen office, shares her advice regarding access to a child after allegations of an abusive partnership. "My ex-boyfriend has applied to the Court to see our daughter. He was abusive towards me, I’m...
Matthew Wells, a family lawyer from JCP Solicitors in Swansea, travelled to Parliament today to meet with local MP Carolyn Harris. Mr Wells was taking part in a major lobby of Parliament organised by family law organisation Resolution, who represent 6,500...
Christmas is, of course, a time of celebration, reflection upon the year gone by and the year ahead, and a time for family. For many of us it can also be fraught with extra stresses and pitfalls – not least for the *more than 500,000 step-families in...
JCP Solicitors has boosted its well-respected Family Law team in Carmarthen, with a new recruit to the firm. Angela Killa will be part of the busy Family Law team at JCP’s Carmarthen office, joining Head of the Team Sali Jackson-Thomas, Matthew Wells...
I’m planning to get married at the end of next year. Without wanting to sound unromantic, I am a professional in my late thirties, I have my own house and savings which I have worked hard for. In the unlikely event that my marriage was to fail, it is...
Karen Hart and John Hart started living together in 1983. They married in 1987 and had two children. Divorce proceedings were commenced in 2011. In 2015 Judge Wildblood ordered that she should receive £3.5 million. Mr Hart appealed this award. On 26...
In divorce proceedings, particularly when the parties do not instruct Solicitors, there is a misconception that the Decree Absolute brings an end to financial claims. That is not the case at all. Spouses and former spouses have rights to make financial...
"My granddaughter has been living with me for the last year. Her parents have agreed to this arrangement since they have a chaotic lifestyle and drug addictions. I’m keen to make the arrangement more secure. What are my options?" It is...
The percentage of marriages ending in divorce is approximately 42%. More people than ever are divorcing later in life. Frequently a party's pension can be the biggest asset in a marriage with available cash and property values decreasing. The usual way...
"I am a single mother with a two-year-old son from a brief relationship. My son’s father and I were never married and didn’t live together so he refuses to provide any financial support. He is very wealthy whereas I am struggling...
My wife was the petitioner in our divorce in 2008 and at that time she assured me she would not make any financial claim against me as long as I provided for our children. I did so and have now funded my children through university. But my ex-wife is...
I have recently re-married and my husband would like to take on Parental Responsibility for my son - his step-son. This would make life easier when I’m working shifts and he needs to collect my boy from school. How should we proceed? This is a...
Last week the Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014 came into force. This will enable employees who have babies due on or after 5 April 2015 to share up to one year’s leave with their partner. The Regulations will allow Mothers, or the primary carers...
I am still amazed by the number of divorce clients who are so fixated on the matrimonial home (which in these difficult economic times is not always as valuable as first perceived) that they almost completely disregard their spouse’s pension which in...
In the spirit of Valentine’s day, what is more romantic than saying....“I want to marry you for you, not your money, your inheritance, your house and fast car”? By entering into a pre-nuptial agreement you can say just that, whilst at the...
