• Families matter………………………………but unfortunately relationships do sometimes breakdown.

Thomas & Co aims to help you at this difficult time.

Sheila Thomas is a member of Resolution and Anthony Thomas is a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel. Both Tony and Sheila have a great deal of experience in:-

Child matters – Advising and conducting court cases to obtain:

• Residence orders
• Contact orders
• Specific issue orders
• Parental responsibility orders

We recognise that it is necessary to put the children of the relationship in the centre of all discussions relating to residence and contact.

Co-Habitation

Increasingly couples are not marrying. They do not have the protection of the Court process which applies to marriage breakdown (see section re divorce) and a partner may think there is some protection as a "common law wife" but this sadly is a myth.

Couples need to consider protecting their position in the event of relationship breakdown.

Thomas & Co can assist by:

• Preparing a Declaration of Trust in respect of ownership of the home to record what the couple would wish to happen in the event of breakdown of the relationship or preparing a Cohabitation or Prenuptial Agreement.
• Consider whether some extra protection may be needed if one of the parties is unable to work due to the commitment of looking after the children of the relationship.
• Advising on the making of wills to ensure that the property of the parties does pass to such people as the parties wish. Failure to make a will could result in property passing to other family members instead of the co-habitee.

Divorce:

• Preparing and processing divorce petitions
• Responding to divorce petitions
• Negotiating costs issues

Financial Issues:

Perhaps the most important aspect of family breakdown is to ensure that both parties can move on from the relationship with confidence in their financial future.

These issues will relate to what is to happen to
• the matrimonial home
• any other assets parties have either individually/ jointly
• the earning capacity of each party
• pension provision for each party

We will therefore assist in making clients aware of the process adopted by the Courts in making financial orders and assist them through such process. We have a constant awareness that the costs spent on legal negotiation and litigation will ultimately affect the amount available for the future of the family.

Same Sex Relationships:

The implementation of the Civil Partnership Act makes it possible for couples in same sex relationships to register their commitment to one another. Thomas & Co can assist in advising and preparing necessary documentation.