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Family Law
Local Solicitor providing services in family law matters. We have experts in Family Law at hand. We understand that a breakdown of a family relationship is a stressful situation. It is perhaps the most distressing event any person must deal with. We provide practical advice and sensible solutions to help reduce the stress levels involved. If you need to get involved in a set of legal proceedings Local Solicitor is in your corner to help you through the process.
Most of the people Local Solicitor deal with in family law come to us with a million questions. All the questions are relevant and important however because the people are so involved and concerned with all the details of the situation, they are unable to get a
clear overview of the whole situation and often lose perspective and miss the most important point. The most important point is being able to live with a changed life. Being able to live with a changed life comes from compromise. It is hard to compromise when your hurt and angry, the hurt and anger will ease with time. Compromise is where you need to arrive at so that you can live when the hurt and anger eases. Talk to Local Solicitor about help in reaching a compromise so that you can get on with your changed life. If you need to get involved in a set of legal proceedings Local Solicitor is in your corner to help you through the process.
The information contained in this website is an overview and explanation of the general process. It is not to be taken as legal advice. Please consult Local Solicitor for legal advice. If you need to get involved in a process Local Solicitor is in your corner to help you through the process. You can contact Local Solicitor by telephoning 01 8438138.
What we can help you with
Divorce means that the marriage is dissolved. Once divorced you can remarry or enter a civil partnership. To obtain a divorce, you must have lived apart from your spouse for a period of at least 2 years during the preceding 3 years. Living apart usually means living in separate homes however, it is possible to live apart while sharing the same home. The court must be satisfied that there is no reasonable chance of reconciliation between the spouses.
When a couple cannot agree the terms by which they will live separately, an application to the courts for a decree of judicial separation can be made by either party.
A separation agreement is a binding contract between spouses and usually contains the following terms:
Civil partnerships are partnerships which can be registered by two persons of the same sex. A court can grant a decree dissolving a civil partnership where:
Once a Civil Partnership has been registered each of the partners acquires rights, including:
A parent or legal guardian, whether married or not, can apply for maintenance from the other parent for their children. A summons is issued in the District Court by a parent seeking maintenance from the other parent.
Guardianship describes the legal responsibility of parents to make decisions and perform duties in relation to their child's upbringing. Married parents are automatically joint guardians of their children. Neither separation nor divorce changes this.
Fathers and others who have been appointed joint guardians by a court or by statutory declaration can be removed from their position if the court is satisfied it is in the child’s best interest.
Custody refers to the day-to-day care, residency and upbringing of children who are regarded as dependent children. Dependent children in custody matters are children who are under the age of 18. In cases of judicial separation or divorce, one parent is usually granted custody.
Access refers to the right of a child to maintain direct contact with the parent with whom the child does not reside. It can include the child staying overnight either occasionally, on alternate weekends or during school holidays and for the parent and child going on holidays together.
A Protection Order can be made by the court where it considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is required for the applicant’s safety or welfare or that of a dependent child. The order can be applied for when applying for a safety order.
