News & Guides
Expert commentary, case analysis, and practical guides on divorce, children's arrangements, financial remedy, and more.
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsCan I Change My Child’s Name?
Can I Change My Child’s Name? Many families choose to change their child’s surname for lots of different reasons. Find out what you need to do below. This is general guidance. Call our team to find out your options. [article updated 26 April 2023] Overview The process to change your child’s name is pretty straightforward by deed poll or statutory declaration. Complications can arise depending on the child’s age and agreed parental responsibility. Under 16 Years Old Only family members with parental responsibility can change their child’s name. Everyone with parental responsibility will need to agree to the change. For Official Documents – such as passports or driving licenses, you will need to complete a Deed poll. You can choose to complete the forms yourself or ask our team to take care of the paperwork on your behalf. Statutory declaration – one of the easiest ways is to complete a formal statement of intention to change your child’s name. This is signed under oath in the presence of a solicitor. Many organisations will accept the Declaration as proof of name change. It is not valid for official documents. Children aged 16 or 17 Years Old Children who are aged at least […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsI’ve been served with a non-molestation order, what can I do?
If you’re served with a non-molestation order, providing an undertaking does not mean that you admit to the allegations. You can give the undertaking to the court on the basis that you do not agree with the allegations.
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsDo grandparents have a right to see grandchildren after a divorce?
Do grandparents have a right to see grandchildren after a divorce? For many families, grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. Whether that’s living in an intergenerational home, sharing stories, school pickups, or celebrating special occasions together. So news of a separation or divorce may leave you feeling worried about whether your contact with your grandchild will be affected. Here’s what you need to know. As a grandparent, you do not have an automatic legal right to see your grandchild if a parent stops you seeing them. But there may be a few steps you can take. If you’re not sure of your options, call our team today. What You Can Do You can try to get help in seeing your grandchild through: an informal, family-based arrangement with both parents. independent mediation. if this does not work you can ask the court for permission to apply for a court order. You apply for permission on the same form as the court order application. We explain more about each option below. Informal Agreement It’s always easier and better for everyone if you can reach an agreement yourselves. Depending on the situation or level of conflict, the first thing you should […]
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DivorceFamily LawWhat happens to my pension when I get divorced?
What happens to my pension when I get divorced? (updated 8 October 2021) The end of your relationship may affect your pension. If you’re planning a divorce or separation, here’s what you need to know about protecting or dividing your pension. Should you include your pension in a financial settlement? What to do with a pension pot is one of the most complex areas of financial planning in divorce. Research by the Pensions Policy Institute in July 2020 found 71% of divorce settlements did not take pensions into account – despite the fact a pension can be one of the biggest assets after a family home. Divorce can have a massive impact on your finances and sometimes leave one party worse off. So as a general rule, advisors will recommend you factor pension assets into any financial settlement discussions. What happens to my pension when I get divorced? When a marriage or civil partnership ends, courts deal with the pension arrangements in one of 3 ways. You also have the option of asking the courts to approve an informal agreement. 1) Offsetting – the value of a pension is offset against other assets Offsetting involves one party keeping […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsIncrease in Family Court Fees
Increase in Family Court Fees An increase in certain court fees for family court services came into force on 30 September 2021. The Government stated the income generated will go towards the running costs of HM Courts & Tribunals Service. The key changes impact divorce applications, children’s orders and financial orders. A full list of the changes is available here. We’ve also shared a list of common services is below. If you have any questions about your family application, remember to contact our office on 01274 727373. Which Fees Are Increasing? A full list of the Family Court fees increases can be found here. Here’s a list of the key changes for family law applications: Divorce Petition: the fee for filing a petition for a divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution will increase from £550 to £593; Children’s Matters: any new applications under the Children Act 1989 to request permission to issue proceedings or for an order or directions to be made concerning the child(ren) e.g. Child Arrangements Order, Prohibited Steps Order, Specific Issue Order or Special guardianship order will increase from £215 to £232; Financial Orders: an application for a financial remedy order will increase from £255 to £275; Consent Orders: […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsWhat happens to mahr if you divorce?
What happens to mahr after divorce? We’re often asked what is haq mehr after a divorce. This article explains more about mahr and divorce. A landmark judgment could change UK law on the position of mahr or ‘bride-price’ payments. Until now, the UK courts have dealt only with cases involving written mahr contracts. The case in question is the first involving an alleged oral contract to be heard in the UK courts. If the court rules in the wife’s favour, the case will enable women to demand their mahr in full as is required by sharia law. This article is not intended to replace legal advice or religious counsel. If you have a question, please contact our team to find out your options. Follow our #MyNikah by SKB Law series for more articles on the Nikah Nama, Gold, Prenuptials and more. What is Mahr and the intention behind it? Mahr is one of the most important parts of the Islamic marriage contract. It is a gift from the groom to the bride. It is intended to provide financial security for the wife in certain situations e.g. death of her spouse or divorce. The amount of the Mahr is not legally specified. A […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsSarah makes her podcast debut on Divorced Muslim Dad
Sarah makes her podcast debut on Divorced Muslim Dad Like many people, we’ve thought about starting a podcast for a while. With a little encouragement and support from Imran Azam (aka Divorced Muslim Dad), we’re excited to share Sarah’s debut on his podcast! If you’ve not heard of Imran before, check out his podcast Divorced Muslim Dad. Listen to his latest episode, ‘Will your lawyer talk to God?’ with Sarah here. Here’s an outline of the episode. Will your lawyer talk to God? ?⚖️?⚖️ In this episode I speak with Sarah Khan Bashir, a Muslim lawyer based in the UK. Sarah runs SKB Law; a specialist Family Law firm providing services to the Muslim and South East Asian community. Its a fascinating meandering conversation where we shoot the breeze about: – Whether you really need to get lawyers involved when splitting up – Why Muslims are getting divorced these days – Intra-family marriage dynamics – What ‘Vata Sata’ is (?!) – Navigating the grey area between therapy and legal advice – Balancing commercial goals vs providing a community service Sarah was super to speak with and I hope you get something from our discussion. *** Follow Us Contact Imran here: divorcedmuslimdad@gmail.com and […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsDivorce, Separation and Your Gold Jewellery. Three Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Assets.
When a couple divorces, their assets such as property, money or jewellery are divided during the financial settlement. Your gold jewellery could become part of the ‘matrimonial pot’. There are a few simple steps you can take to protect your assets and avoid disputes.
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsLet’s talk about the Nikah Nama. Do you know what you’re signing?
Let’s talk about the Nikah Nama. Do you know what you’re signing? Welcome to #MyNikah by SKB Law, a collection of articles designed for couples and families. Our first guide explains the power of the Nikah Nama, the Islamic marriage contract. Before we start, we know you might be thinking, why is a divorce firm talking about weddings? Here’s why. SKB Law is one of the UK’s leading family law firms for South Asians. We support lots of clients at the end of their relationship. We listen to their stories. We hear which issues cause arguments, divide families or lead to more expensive divorces. It doesn’t have to be that way. Often, a simple deed or adding a clause to a Nikah Nama could help to avoid arguments and solicitor’s fees. So, we created #MyNikah by SKB Law. Nobody starts a relationship thinking it will end. But separation and divorce happens. We hope our articles are the start of a conversation and help people make more informed decisions. What is a Nikah Nama? During your nikah (the Islamic marriage ceremony), you and your spouse will sign a Nikah Nama (the Islamic marriage contract / […]
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsWe don’t have a house or any children. Why do I need a Clean Break Order?
Did you know there’s nothing stopping your ex from filing a financial claim against you many years after you finalise your divorce? To protect themselves from any future claims, many people choose to obtain a Clean Break Order. If you need advice, book a free 15 minute consultation with divorce specialists, SKB Law, on 01274 727373.
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DivorceFamily LawSKB NewsHow Do You Know If Your Nikah Is Legally Recognised In England?
Find out if your nikah is legally recognised in England and what you can do to protect yourself if your relationship ends.
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DivorceFamily LawImmigrationDivorce and my immigration status: can I remain in the UK?
Divorce and my immigration status: can I remain in the UK? Does the end of your marriage mean the end of your leave to remain in the UK? It depends. This post answers some of the most common questions. Please note this information does not replace legal advice. To find out your options, book your free 15 minute consultation with our experienced immigration solicitor. We aim to offer same-day advice. As family law specialists, we recognise divorce is difficult even when both parties agree. It can be even harder when you’re worrying about your immigration status. Unfortunately many visa holders believe the end of their marriage signals the end of their life in the UK. That’s not always the case. If possible, speak to a legal professional before you separate or start divorce proceedings. Without the right advice you may find yourself having no legal right to live or work in the UK. If I divorce will I be able to stay in the UK? SHORT ANSWER: it depends on your immigration status. Spouse Visa. If you entered the UK and have leave to remain on the basis of your marriage or civil partnership, then under UK immigration rules you […]
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