Latest Watford Blogs from the Watford Observer

I am a solicitor specialising in all aspects of family law. I am regularly contacted for advice about marriage, divorce, children, pre nups, gay and lesbian parenting etc. I want to use this blog to dispel myths about family law and comment on reports in the press that may concern readers. I will also be responding to your questions so do blog for general advice! In my spare time I will be acting as Partner at www.bestsolicitorsllp.co.uk.

Ex's new wife doesn't like our 5yr old daughter because she doesn't treat her like an adult! Ex now wants infrequent contact with our daughter at my house. Am I breaking the law if I say no?

If you believe that contact is in your daughter's best interests, your obligation is to facilitate it. That means, making your daughter available for the session. This obligation does not extend to providing accommodation. Can't he take her out for a few hours? There are plenty of things to do with a 5 yr old. As contact is so infrequent, a few hours out somewhere nice will make her feel special.

My grandchildren have been living with me. Their father was violent, but now returns wanting a Residence order. Will he get it automatically?

Hello there. Nobody has an automatic right to a Residence Order in respect of the children. As you are aware, a Residence Order is an Order stating where the children should live. In whose care they should be.

My Partner has returned after 2 years and wants to take our daughter

I do not know whether your ex partner disappeared for two years or was around having contact. I will assume the worst case scenario that she disappeared.

My husband is refusing to reply to the divorce petition

This happens quite frequently. Fortunately, there is a way around this but it involves time and expense unless you are in receipt of public funding.

Do I need my ex husband's consent for my daughter to be christened.

A lady asks whether she can christen her daughter if the ex husband is refusing to consent

Whitney in concert!

Whitney's comeback. Survivor of an abusive relationship.

Divorce or separation?

Everything is amicable, we don't need lawyers.......

Families need Fathers

Children need role models, security and stability. This may be provided by a mother and a father, two mothers or two fathers. The important thing is that when there is a break down of the family unit , the impact on the children is as minimal as possible. The children need to understand that they are not the reason or the cause of the break up and that they are not going to lose an important person from their lives. To that end, as a family solicitor, I encourage clients to divorce / separate in a child friendly way.

Common Law Husband and Wife

With many couples choosing to live together instead of marrying, what legal rights does one have if the relationship breaks down? Is there such a thing as a common law marriage?

Surrogacy Laws

With the increasing need for assisted conception (fertility treatment), the fertility laws are fast developing.