You, Family & Matrimonial
& Ince, in any case

21-03-2023 /

Artificial intelligence, including language models like Chat GPT, is undoubtedly on the rise and increasingly being introduced to maximise productivity in a number of industries and fields. In this article Lara Myers explores uses and implications of Chat GPT specifically in relation to family law.

04-01-2023 / Private Wealth

A turbulent Christmas and the sense of embarking on a new year can often leave people feeling that they want to make a change for the better or put steps in place to prevent the same things from happening again. Kerry Graham and Rashmita Vadher from our family team, answer some of the frequently asked questions they receive from clients at this time of year:

28-11-2022 /

From the 28 November to 2 December 2022, Resolution is running its annual “Good Divorce Week” campaign. This year the focus is on ending the Family Court crisis and the delays being experienced. This makes it even more important to reach an amicable divorce.

27-07-2022 /

In recent years, surrogacy has become more prominent, openly talked about and accepted as an opportunity for different family structures to be able to have a child of their own.

23-06-2022 / Insurance

We are delighted to announce that Dan Crockford has recently been appointed as Head of Office for Ince (Bristol).

14-06-2022 /

Adoption and surrogacy rates in the UK are on the rise – in the year ending March 2020, there were 3,440 adoptions and 413 parental orders following a surrogacy arrangement. Employers and HR, usually equipped with the knowledge and experience to deal with issues around biological maternity and paternity leave and pay, are now increasingly required to know the statutory rights of adoptive parents, surrogate women and intended parents. This includes their respective entitlement to take leave from work, their pay arrangements, and providing wider support through this life-changing time in their lives.

14-02-2022 /

Each year, on 14 February millions of people across the world mark the day by sending cards and gifts to their partners to show their love and affection. With many considering this to be the most romantic day of the year, it may seem an appropriate time to embark on the next step of your relationship. This could mean couples deciding to move in together, or it sometimes provide an opportunity for a marriage proposal. These are very exciting times for couples, when careful consideration of the legal consequence of taking that next step are no doubt far from the happy couple’s minds.  

24-01-2022 /

17-01-2022 /

The beginning of the year always brings enquiries in relation to relationship breakdowns. The end of the old year is often a period of reflection and the New Year an opportunity for change.

17-01-2022 / Private Wealth

At the beginning of the year, we always see a surge of relationship breakdown enquiries, as couples reflect at the end of an old year and the new year brings an opportunity for change.

13-01-2022 /

Over the years, our clients have shared some weird and wonderful myths about divorce and separation. Rebecca Aston-Jones from our Family team dispels some common myths and clarifies with the law.

13-01-2022 /

Many viewers will have tuned in to watch the BBC’s Death in Paradise Christmas special. During the episode, a wealthy shipping magnate was found dead at a Christmas party, and as the story progressed, the culprit was confronted and the mystery behind the victim’s death was revealed.

15-12-2021 /

Welcome to Family Matters, the podcast series which explores the different areas of family law.

19-10-2021 /

One in four people will experience mental health issues in their lifetime. This can have a significant impact on a person’s life, including their wellbeing and performance in the workplace. In this article, Susan J Williams, Partner and Head of Family (Cardiff), explores the significant impact mental health can have on relationships, and its role as a cause and consequence of a relationship breakdown.

12-10-2021 /

There has been much publicity about the long awaited change in the law brought about by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. This Act becomes effective on April 29 next year and will enable proceedings ending the legal relationship to begin, without waiting for a minimum of two years following separation, or in the absence of separation, apportioning blame to the other party by providing details of the individual’s unreasonable behaviour or adultery.

21-06-2021 /

The tax implications arising out of a divorce, separation, or even marriage could be diverse and unforeseen. Although tax implications may not be your first priority upon separation, it is always wise to seek advice early on in the process, and be aware of possible tax liabilities depending on the outcome of the proceedings.

16-06-2021 /

There is a lot of press, almost on a daily basis, on the domestic abuse of women. However, there needs to be an understanding and realisation that men are not always the perpetrators, but instead can be the victims of domestic abuse.

10-06-2021 /

From the 6 April 2022, married couples, including those entered into civil partnerships, will be able to divorce without blaming one party or adhering to the current separation period requirements.

28-05-2021 /

When the need for care arises, many couples are concerned about funding long-term care and having to sell their property to meet care home fees. Individuals with a capital of more than £23,250 are expected to fund their own care with no contribution from the Local Authorities.

26-05-2021 /

In the last week, it has been widely reported that the USA has authorised the use of a Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to children over 12 years of age. Although the UK is currently assessing the data, it is anticipated that they will also approve the use of a Covid-19 vaccine for children. The question that then arises is what happens if parents cannot agree on whether their child should be given a Covid-19 vaccine.

20-05-2021 /

On 29 April 2021, after years of parliamentary consideration, the Domestic Abuse Bill finally became law, representing a long-awaited change to our legislation.

18-03-2021 /

Since March 2020, many articles have reported on the perceived increase in divorce rates during the Covid pandemic. Only time will tell if this proves to be correct and if the record-breaking 2019 figure of 108,421 divorces for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in the UK is surpassed.

11-03-2021 /

When a relationship comes to an end - whether a couple is going through divorce proceedings or ending a period of co-habitation - it is well recognised that this can have a huge impact on a member of staff’s work life.

10-03-2021 /

03-03-2021 /

Thriving international law firm Ince adds to its Bristol Private Client team with the appointment of a new associate solicitor and trainee legal executive.

11-01-2021 /

Ince is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Rucker as Partner and Head of its Private Wealth advisory practice.

17-12-2020 /

At the heart of the UAE, Dubai is a vibrant country, which offers amazing work opportunities for lots of British people looking to enhance their career, to work in a unique and exciting country, and to experience a different culture and meet with people from all over the world.

30-11-2020 /

Recent data from The Office of National Statistics showed that during 2019, there was an increase in the number of divorces for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. In fact, it is the largest increase in divorce rates in the last five years.

24-11-2020 /

04-11-2020 /

On the 29 October 2020, The Times ran an article titled “Can your relationship survive the second wave”. As Wales comes out of a “Firebreak” lockdown on 9 November 2020, and England starts a month-long lockdown from 5 November 2020 - this is a very timely question to ask.

03-11-2020 /

Since March, we have all had to adjust to the new reality in the face of Coronavirus. Now with the second national lockdown on the horizon in England, a ‘fire breaker’ lockdown underway in Wales and tiered restrictions being imposed in Scotland, we will all again retreat to our homes in order to protect ourselves, the vulnerable and our NHS.

01-10-2020 /

As children attend school for the autumn term, for the first time since March 2020, schools across the UK are adopting measures to try and reduce the spread of coronavirus whilst allowing the return of all children to the school environment.

23-09-2020 /

BBC’s latest drama, ‘7:39’, covers an extra marital affair between two London commuters played by David Morrissey and Sheridan Smith, and without giving any spoilers, the consequences of this on any existing families and relationships.

09-09-2020 /

Rebecca Aston-Jones, Senior Associate at Ince Metcalfes, answers some of the most frequently asked family law questions raised by her clients in these uncertain times and is interviewed about her experiences in the short video below. 

16-06-2020 /

​​​​​​​The Bill which proposes to introduce “no-fault” divorces in England and Wales was backed by MPs earlier this week and it is possible that it will receive Royal assent within the next week.

18-05-2020 /

In recent weeks family practitioners have had to deal with scenarios and situations which we hadn’t previously envisaged or had to consider. One parent stuck in lockdown on their own in one part of the country and the other with the children miles away, and grandparents and grandchildren not being able to see one another and share that special bond that exists. These are a few examples of the difficulties which separating families are having to endure.

07-05-2020 /

We are living in the most unprecedented times. The world has been turned upside down, global stock markets have taken an incredible hit, many have found themselves either unemployed or on reduced salaries or with assets which as Richard Branson has told us have significantly reduced in value. All this is without a foreseeable end in sight.

24-04-2020 /

According to a statistic from STEP, more than three million couples in the UK choose to co-habit, rather than marry or enter a civil partnership. However, unmarried couples who live together have far fewer legal rights than couples who are married or in civil partnerships. The concept of the ‘common law’ spouse is just a myth and not recognised in the law. As a result, co-habiting couples who are in the process of separating cannot access the financial orders as separating spouse.

27-03-2020 /

The ongoing difficulties and concerns following the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic have been constantly presenting themselves over the last few months.

26-03-2020 /

In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the virus presents all of us with a number of challenges beyond the security of our health and wellbeing.

24-03-2020 /

We are now having to face challenges nationally and globally which we never expected, and we are having to adapt very quickly to the significant impact of COVID-19 upon our daily lives. In this unprecedented time of uncertainty, it is normal to have worries about how to manage your household and your family arrangements, to abide by the government guidance whilst maintaining some degree of normality. As Cafcass (Court Welfare Advisory Service) have advised, in this climate of uncertainty it has never been more important to instill a sense of routine and normality for children in order to make them feel safe and secure.

14-02-2020 /

It has been reported in the media that Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, hosted an event on Wednesday to highlight the invaluable work that the organization 'SafeLives' undertakes to support victims of Domestic Abuse.

14-02-2020 /

With romance in the air, Valentine’s Day is a popular time for “popping the question”.  It is an exciting time filled with celebrations and if this is you, congratulations on your engagement!

10-02-2020 /

It is widely agreed that the origin of marriage dates well before recorded history, but the earliest recorded evidence of marriage ceremonies uniting one woman and one man dates from about 2350 B.C. in the Far East. Over the next several hundred years, marriage evolved into a widespread institution embraced by various cultures.

05-02-2020 /

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill that brings in “no fault” applications to end married and registered civil partnership relationships comes before the House of Commons today for its second reading.

24-01-2020 /

25th January is St Dwynwen’s Day; which is celebrated in Wales in the same way as St Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world, through the exchange of flowers and cards, romantic meals and special time spent by the couple together.

02-01-2020 /

It is estimated that around two thirds of cohabiting couples incorrectly believe they have the same rights as married couples or couples in a civil partnership. New legislation in this area provides all couples with an alternative to marriage to ensure they are granted with stability and legal protection.

20-06-2019 /

With the wedding season almost upon us, couples are often considering whether to enter into a Pre-Nuptial Agreement. Julian McCarthy, Senior Family Solicitor provides an informative guide to engaged couples wishing to protect their assets prior to getting married.

01-11-2018 /

Many people do not realise the importance of making a Will. Some think it’s self-prophesying and others simply aren’t aware of the impact dying without a Will can have on their family.

04-01-2018 /

It is going to be a daunting experience regardless of attempts to “sugar coat” it.