Jacqueline Emmerson has been practising Family Law for over thirty years. She works with a team of experienced Family Lawyers including Tracey Hammond, also qualified for over thirty years, and Elizabeth Brown, qualified for over twenty years. “As I have progressed in my career, I have dealt with more complicated cases. Many of my clients …
Financial Divorce and Hidden Poverty: What You Need to Know. As a Divorce and Will Writing Solicitor with over 30 years of experience, I have written before about the need to protect yourself financially when you are divorcing. I often find clients wish to take a lower settlement than I think they could obtain because …
Do you really need a solicitor to handle your divorce? “I am a solicitor so of course you would expect me to say yes. In many instances I assist clients to manage their own cases. “Divorce, is different, the stakes are high if you get it wrong. It’s not so much the issuing of the …
We are frequently contacted by clients who have worked in Offshore industries for many years, requiring them to spend long periods away from home. This often means that their spouse stayed at home to look after the children. Many offshore workers have been working in the same industry for decades and are sometimes not able …
Where Should your Child Live If You Are Separated From Their Mother or Father? You may have just separated from your partner and could be worried about how often you will see your children and where they will live. At Emmersons Solicitors our specialist family lawyers often advise our clients about their options when things seem quite raw. However …
Imagine you are getting the children ready for school and your husband or wife says, “I issued divorce proceedings online last night. You will receive information from the court.” Your world has just fallen apart. Your husband or wife has actually fallen in love with someone else and there is nothing you can do to stop the …
Many of our family law clients are subject to domestic violence. This could be emotional, physical, or even coercive control. Sometimes the control element leads to a client being literally kicked out of their home, often late at night, and often on a weekend. They may be told that they are not welcome, and they …
How To Protect Your Children After Divorce or Separation At Emmersons Solicitors our specialist family lawyers are frequently presented with cases where a child’s parent refuses to allow them to see the other parent – often described as Parental Alienation. For example, in the case of Erica, she came to see us as she was concerned that …
The Rise in Over-50s Divorce I have been a specialist divorce solicitor based in Newcastle and Sunderland for over thirty years. When I began assisting divorce clients in the late 1980’s most of them would be in their late twenties or early thirties. Today the vast majority of my clients will be over 50 and this has …
Which area of the law do you work in? I work in our Private Client Team covering Wills, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Elderly Client matters. I tend to specialise in looking after the affairs of older clients who have no one else to help them. I also deal with all aspects of divorce law in particular complicated cases involving multiple investments, pensions and …
Most people who are going through a Divorce right now, or who have been divorced and have used a solicitor, will have heard of a Consent Order. As a Divorce Solicitor, I see this as being the magical document. It is the end of a negotiated process and the document that protects you from further …
There has been a lot in the news recently about coercive control, which is now a criminal offence. In the criminal courts this is a new arena, and of course, the burden of proof that the prosecution must reach is quite high compared to the situation in divorce courts. What amounts to coercive control will be different in each instance. …
We have seen a huge increase in the number of clients coming to see us to report difficulties around Arrangements for their Children. This can range from fathers not being able to see their baby or toddler, especially if they have never lived with the mother. We might have teenagers refusing to have anything to do …
When I trained we covered many areas of law so I have a good understanding of a broad range of issues. This is helpful in the work that I do. It is also helpful that I run my own business, this means that I can help clients who have a business or who are married …
January is often a time when many look to make changes. That could be a New Year’s resolution as small as joining a gym; however, for some, it could be a time of significant and life-changing decisions. The first month of the year will see many couples decide on divorce, with the first working Monday …
It has been a long-established belief, that where custody battles are concerned, the Family Court’s favour Mothers. It is indeed the case, that previously the ‘tender years doctrine’ was applied by Judges, who typically presumed that younger children were best placed with their mother, following the breakdown of their parent’s relationship. Why? Can a father …
As Domestic Violence Divorce Solicitors based in Newcastle and a Family Law Expert, I was contacted recently by a researcher working on behalf of the Law Society. Did I feel that women are treated better than men in the Family Courts? Did I think that there should be any changes in the law? I was able …
It is thirty years since I handled my first divorce case. When I started out I was dealing with simpler divorces. This would be a situation with no assets, often a short marriage with no children. As I progressed I dealt with perhaps the matrimonial home, some pensions and maybe some savings. This type of …
News stories such as those in relation to Amazon founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos’, ongoing divorce. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46814557) highlight the complexity and gravity of financial settlements in proceedings which involve so-called ‘High Net-Worth’ Individuals – particularly where those individuals are embroiled in highly-successful businesses. Of course, not everyone will have a multi-million-pound divorce settlement, but the …
You may have heard in the news that there were 13 divorce petitions issued via the HM Courts & Tribunal Services’ online system on Christmas Day. In the grand scheme of things, this might not seem like a huge number (given that there have been some 23,000 petitions issued online since April 2018), but to …
Many of us will experience financial anxieties from time to time. For most people, their wages or salary earned via employment will be their main source of income, and the loss of that income on retirement will inevitably invite worries as to whether they will have enough money available to continue enjoying a comfortable standard …
If you’re involved in proceedings in the Family Court, you may understandably want to have someone at your side to support you or ‘fight your corner’; however, given that these proceedings are held in private – for example, there is no public gallery as we find in crown court proceedings – the options as to …
Hello, My name is Jacqueline Emmerson and I am Managing Director of Emmersons Solicitors, a firm I set up 20 years ago. This article is taken from a presentation I was asked to make to my local church about Ethics and the Law. As you can imagine, in my professional life I have dealt with …
Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away! Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland As Family Law Solicitors, unfortunately, it’s not unusual to hear that parental disputes arise over the issue of Child Maintenance. One common scenario which arises is that in which, following the parties’ separation, one parent – typically a father – has …
Domestic Violence: Where’s the proof? Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland When it comes to Divorce Lawyers the standard of help and support you can expect to receive can vary enormously. I often feel that I am a cross between Inspector Clouseau and a world chess champion! What do I mean by that? …
Domestic Violence: Where’s the proof? Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland By and large, ‘going to Court’ is something which people prefer to avoid, where there are other options available; it certainly isn’t a regular occurrence for most, and as a result, the process can be somewhat mystifying. One concept which parties may …
Separating Parents Beware: Don’t Conflict Your Child. Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland If you’ve separated (or are separating) from the Mother or Father of your children, you’d be well advised to take note of new guidelines that are being rolled out by Cafcass – the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support …
The Rise in Over-50s Divorce Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland Breaking up is hard to do – it’s a fact no less true simply because you’re more mature, and have a greater cache of life experience. If you’re divorcing over 50, there are some key points you may wish to consider from …
Are Divorce Assets Divided 50/50? Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland In a recently reported case, the Court of Appeal, the second highest Court in the land, effectively decided that the lion’s share of the assets which built up during the course of a ‘short marriage’ should be apportioned to the largest financial …
Further Problems With Online Do It Yourself Divorces Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland In response to press coverage about the dangers of naming a third party in DIY divorce papers, I started to think about other problems with Do It Yourself Divorces. The court or Quick Divorce sites lead you to believe …
The Danger With Online Do It Yourself Divorce Forms Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland You may have read in the newspapers recently that the court service has just released new forms to help you to issue a Divorce Petition yourself. Already Divorce and Family Solicitors are concerned about the forms as they …
If You Like Pina Coladas. Family Law Solicitors – Gosforth, Newcastle and Sunderland In the United Kingdom, your overseas marriage will be recognised as legally valid so long as it complied with the relevant laws and formalities of the country where you were married. There was an interesting example of this is the recently publicised …
Avoid a DIY Divorce; It Could Cost You a Fortune. Family Law Solicitors – Newcastle and Sunderland A recent report from the Association of Business Recovery Professionals*– which reported on the major causes of insolvency in men and women – identified that while the leading cause of insolvency in men is the failure of their …
Should Divorce Be a Blame Game. Family Law Solicitors – Newcastle and Sunderland As the Law Gazette reports, recent calls for the introduction of a more open provision for ‘no-fault’ divorce have been dismissed by Parliament Government rebuffs latest calls for no-fault divorce. This came despite support from Sir James Munby, the President of the …
Good News On Pensions In Divorce Proceedings. Family Law Solicitors – Newcastle and Sunderland Is there a good time to seek a divorce? Possibly not, but if your spouse has a defined benefit (final salary) occupational pension, now is probably the right time to secure a Financial Settlement. These pension schemes are basically a promise …
Is Divorce The Best Option For You? The things you need to consider. Family Law Solicitors – Newcastle and Sunderland Did you know that 58% of marriages today will end in divorce and only 10% will reach their diamond wedding anniversary? Meanwhile, 30% of couples describe themselves as actively unhappy but feel unable to leave their …
The Question Of ‘How Much?’ In Your Divorce. Family Law Solicitors – Newcastle and Sunderland In the wake of Valentine’s Day, we find our newsfeeds inundated with heart-warming stories of relationships which have gone from strength to strength; like the uplifting story of a local couple who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on the day …
Securing the Arrangements for Your Children Post-Separation: Expert Divorce Solicitors covering Newcastle and Sunderland When a married couple separates, it is possible – and indeed likely – that one or both parties will want to pursue a divorce through the Family Court; they may even wish to reach a Financial Settlement through the Courts – …
Pensions on Divorce: Expert Divorce Solicitors Newcastle and Sunderland In divorce or dissolution, the pension can be the biggest asset after the family home. This article aims to provide your with greater understanding from Emmersons Solicitors Expert Divorce Solicitors (with offices in Newcastle and Sunderland) and our latest guidance. You can split pensions several ways, so …
What is the meaning of Need: Guidance on Financial Needs on Divorce You may have read our earlier Family Law article in May of this year dealing with calls for financial settlements following on from a divorce to be simplified to a mathematical equation. However, providing for both parties’ financial needs and those of any minor …
If you are separating don’t get caught out by the New Stamp Duty Changes Your Family Law Experts Newcastle and Sunderland. Since 1 April 2016 if you purchase a second property that is not replacing your main residence then you are extremely likely to be liable for the new 3% stamp duty uplift; the table …
The New Age Traveller who became a mulit-millionaire! Consent Orders. You may have recently read in the media The Supreme Court’s decision in Wyatt v Vince. This is the tale of the New Age Traveller who became a multi-millionaire! This tale is a powerful reminder of the need to resolve all financial matters at the …
Family Law and Financial Settlements You may have heard recently about Gary Lineker’s calls for Financial Settlements, following a divorce, to be simplified to a mathematical equation. However, providing for both parties’ financial needs, and those of any minor children following a divorce, is not necessarily that simple. Would a 50:50 split of everything owned …
At Emmersons Expert Family Law Solicitors, we are here to provide you with expert guidance quickly and clearly, hopefully reducing any worry or stress should this situation arise. These days we live in a mobile and multi-cultural society. When parents separate increasingly we are faced with not just disputes about with whom the children should live …
Transgender and marriage. Dealing with transgender issues. Transgender is a term used for people who feel their real gender is different from their birth gender. The Gender Identity Research and Education Society estimates that about 1% of the British population are gender nonconforming to some degree. Around 20% of them are likely to seek medical …
Emmersons Solicitors, experts in Cohabitation advice. One of the biggest misconceptions in family law is that there is such a thing as a common law husband or a common law wife. No matter how long you live with your partner you do no acquire or accrue any rights. Here we outline cohabitation advice. If …
Arrangements for children. New polling which was carried out by ComRes on behalf of family law organisation Resolution, has found that around eight out of ten children and young people with experience of parental separation or divorce would prefer their parents to split up if they are unhappy, rather than stay together. When asked …
Do it yourself Divorces Newcastle Family Law Divorce Solicitors Recently a national Law Firm was criticised on social media for promoting the fact that January is the month in the year when people seek a divorce after the Christmas holiday. It all became quite vitriolic with people suggesting that lawyers were money grabbers and that …
Separation at Christmas Divorce and Separation Solicitors Newcastle and sunderland January is often a busy month for solicitors dealing with divorce and separation. You may have trundled along for months ignoring the cracks in your relationship. You possibly work shift patterns or one or both of you may work away and therefore you rarely see …
Custody of Children, Residence and now Arrangements for Children. What does it all mean? Years ago when a couple divorced the court would automatically become involved to determine who would have custody of the children. An order would be made and this was usually in favour of the mother. In effect, the mother would then …