Getting it Right from the Start
Just because you and your partner can no longer live together does not mean that you should no longer communicate. It is very important, particularly where children are concerned, that lines of communication are kept open so that the opportunities for mistrust and polarisation of views are limited. This can be extremely difficult when emotions are running high but a good solicitor can help in soothing fears and providing reliable advice on what is and is not possible in your particular situation. Inevitably, the cost of running two households is going to be more expensive than one and something will have to give. Being realistic about how family income and assets might be divided is a vital first step on the path to a fair settlement.
Even so it is sometimes necessary to protect and preserve assets until agreement can be reached. For example, joint Bank accounts and Credit cards can be abused; valuable assets can be "spirited away" and the value of the matrimonial home reduced by additional borrowing. Legal protection is available to prevent such abuses. Such protection can also ensure your right to occupy a particular property, your right to dispose of your own property by Will as you wish and your right to share in property belonging solely to your partner.
It is therefore very important to consult a solicitor as early as possible to confirm your legal rights and the steps, if any, that need to be taken to protect those rights.
At FJG all our lawyers operate a reduced fee "initial interview". For further details please telephone Chris Graves on 01206 578282.