Family
Living Together Agreement - if you are not married or in a civil partnership then you can bind yourself by entering into a contract to set out how you and your partner want to deal with your finances whilst you are together and if you should separate.
Pre-Nuptial Agreement - an agreement between you and your intended spouse drawn up prior to your marriage setting out what you want to happen with regard to financial matters if you should later separate. These are not legally binding in the UK.
Grounds for Divorce - The grounds for a divorce is that your marriage has irretrievably broken down. You have to show irretrievable breakdown by relying on:
- adultery
- unreasonable behaviour
- separation for 2 years with consent
- desertion for 2 years
- 5 years separation
Special Procedure - all undefended divorces proceed in this way. It means that you do not have to go to Court and provided the paperwork is all in order the Judge will grant a divorce
Decree Nisi - this is when the Judge has looked at the papers and decided that you have proved that you are entitled to a divorce. You are still married at this stage.
Decree Absolute - this ends your marriage and can be obtained at any time six weeks and one day after Decree Nisi.
Ancillary Relief - this is the application to the Court to sort out the finances following a divorce
Periodical Payments - payments made by husband or wife to the other for their support. This is usually paid on a monthly basis. These can be varied upwards and downwards.
Pension Sharing - a percentage of one parties pension is given to the other spouse and put in a pension in their name. The paying spouse's pension is reduced by the amount that is transferred.
Pension Attachment Order - one party is given an interest in the other spouse's pension. This could be in respect of the lump sum and/or the income. It remains however the pension of the spouse who originally had it.