Family Law legal updates
Legal updates and commentary on family law from the solicitors at Arona St James.
Family pets on separation: what does the law really say?
Pets are legally treated as personal property in the UK, but disputes about them are rarely about money. This guide explains how judges decide who keeps a pet, whether shared care is realistic, and how agreements can prevent a dispute.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreIs January really “divorce month”? What family solicitors see every year
January is consistently one of the busiest months for family law enquiries, but it is not usually the month with the most divorce applications. This article explains what solicitors actually see, why the New Year prompts action, and why early advice does not commit you to anything.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreParental responsibility and rapists: what the 2025 reform means for children and survivors
From the reform announced in October 2025 under the Victims and Courts Bill, anyone convicted of rape or a serious sexual offence automatically loses parental responsibility for a child conceived through that offence. This article explains what changes and what it means for survivors.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreWhat can I do if my ex won’t let me see my child, and we’re not married?
Unmarried parents who are refused time with their child are not without options. This guide explains parental responsibility, how to apply for a child arrangements order, what the court expects you to try first, and how welfare decisions are made.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreWhen home doesn’t feel safe: how a non-molestation order can help you take back control
A non-molestation order is a court order protecting you and your children from harassment, threats or violence by someone you are personally connected to. This guide explains what it covers, who can apply, how emergency applications work and what happens if the order is breached.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreWhen love isn’t enough: the legal risks of living together as an unmarried couple
There is no such thing as common-law marriage in England and Wales. This guide explains what cohabiting couples can and cannot claim when they separate, how a TOLATA claim to the family home works, and the four steps that protect you before a dispute begins.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead moreStandish v Standish: the UK Supreme Court on inherited wealth, gifts and matrimonialisation in divorce
In Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26, the Supreme Court clarified when non-matrimonial property can become subject to the sharing principle on divorce. The judgment confirms that the source of wealth matters and that transferring assets between spouses, without more, does not necessarily make them matrimonial.
Phoebe ChauFamily SolicitorRead more