Practice Areas

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.

Divorce Solicitor

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.

Separation Solicitor

A separation agreement is a binding contract between spouses and usually contains the following terms:

Separation Agreement Solicitor

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:

Civil Partnership Solicitor

Once a Civil Partnership has been registered each of the partners acquires rights, including:

Civil Partner Rights Ireland

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.

Maintenance Solicitor

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. 

Guardianship Solicitor Ireland

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. 

Removal of Guardianship Rights Solicitor

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.

Custody Solicitor

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. 

Access Solicitor

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. 

Domestic Violence Solicitor