National Family Week - consider the children after divorce

As we celebrate national family week in the North East (25-31 May) let’s not forget that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that the end of a relationship doesn’t have to result in the breakdown of a family.

At Latimer Hinks, Judith Middleton our family law partner sees separating parents daily who desperately want to help their children to deal with the effects of divorce and separation, but they often don’t know where to turn for information, advice or support.

Judith is an accredited member of Resolution, the national family lawyers association. Resolution has developed a “Parenting after Parting” initiative, which aims to help separating parents through this difficult time with advice and information on how to talk to children about divorce or separation.

Help is available online at www.resolution.org.uk/parentingafterparting, which offers practical help with ways to help children going through these situations as well as details of parents workshops, designed to support parents in managing the impact of divorce of separation for their children.

For those of you wishing to entertain your children during National Family Week take a look at all of the activites on offer throughout the UK

Katie Price and Peter Andre's Separation - what about Harvey?

Since last Monday when Katie Price and Peter Andre announced their separation they have been front page news - again. Married for three years Peter and Katie had very sensibly arranged for a pre-nuptial agreement to be set up.

BUT, what happens to the children when a marriage breaks up? What are a step-parent’s rights and responsibilities?

Apparently Peter treats 7 year old disabled Harvey (whose father is Dwight Yorke) as one of his own. They also have two other children, Junior and Princess Tiaami.

According to the Mail Online, Katie Price and Peter Andre are planning to meet to discuss who will care for Harvey, seven, Junior, three, and Princess Tiaami, one.

As a result of Katie and Peter's separation, Judith Middleton, a family law specialist at Latimer Hinks solicitors has turned the spotlight on people’s rights in connection with step-children.

Katie & Peter’s Split: Advice to Divorcing Step-Parents

Judith Middleton is a Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors an Accredited member of Resolution
and regional spokesperson for Resolution, an association of 5,000 family lawyers.

Family Courts: New Rules Won't Create an Open, Transparent System

In a move to boost public confidence from 27th April the media have been granted family court access.

Before this the public and the media have not been allowed to court in order to protect families, particularly children.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the move was a step towards a new culture of "greater openness" in all courts.

Family courts make decisions, such as whether children should be taken into care or put up for adoption, or given contact with parents who are divorcing. They also decide on custody and how finances should be split.

However, there have been claims that the secrecy of the hearings has led to injustices, with some children taken wrongly into care.

Judith Middleton, Partner at Latimer Hinks and Regional Spokesperson for Resolution has warned that the new rules, rushed in by the government, represent a missed opportunity to allow thorough and effective public scrutiny.

Judith believes that new rules won't create an open, transparent system