Family law guides
Choose the topic that matches your situation. Each guide explains the process in plain English, with no jargon. If you lived together but never married, the law treats you differently from a married couple: read how the law treats unmarried couples who separate.
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Get early accessChildren
Where your children live and who they spend time with
Divorce
Ending your marriage or civil partnership
Finances
Dividing money, property, and pensions
Mediation
MIAMs - Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. A one-hour session you usually must attend before applying to court about children or finances. It explains mediation and checks if it’s suitable for your situation. and alternatives to court
Protection orders
Safety from domestic abuse - Any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour between people who are or have been in a relationship. Includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse.
Separating (not married)
Your rights when you are not married
Featured
Think you know how family court works?
Common myths explained: from “mothers always get custody” to “the court splits everything 50/50.”
Explore myth bustingWorried about costs? You may qualify for free legal help.
Check legal aid - Government funding that pays for legal help if you can’t afford it. In family law, it’s mainly available for domestic abuse cases and some child protection matters. eligibility