Useful Information
In challenging times, it can be hard to find the right information. Nancy has created a list of websites that give clear and practical guidance. These cover a range of topics.
Divorce
The Government website explains step-by-step what is involved in getting a divorce and how to apply: https://www.gov.uk/get-a-divorce
Arrangements for children and children-related information
AdviceNow's 'Survival Guide' explains your options and legal basics to sorting out child/ren arrangements: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/survival-guide-sorting-out-arrangements-your-children
Children and young people have put together their own 'Top Tips' for parents who are separating/separated: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/download/13466/
The Family Mediators Association has created a video about the mediation process and how the wishes and feelings of each child can be explored and included: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGt7KGZHR-g
The NSPPC's website gives practical guidance on various child-related topics and what to do should you be concerned about a child: https://www.nspcc.org.uk
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) works with parents who are in proceedings at Court. Their website has templates and guides, including parenting plans: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/
If you are a grandparent seeking to have time with your grandchild/ren, this government website explains your position and options: https://www.gov.uk/contact-grandchild-parents-divorce-separate
If you are involved in new, blended families: www.beingastepparent.co.uk and www.familylives.org.uk
Finances on divorce and other financial concerns
The Family Justice Council provides information for separating couples who are negotiating their financial agreements on divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1.-Sorting-Out-Finances-on-Divorce-2024.final-for-publication.pdf
AdviceNow's 'Survival Guide' to sorting out finances is a helpful guide about key issues, options and explains legal basics: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/survival-guide-sorting-out-finances-when-you-get-divorced
Useful guidance regarding queries and concerns regarding child maintenance, and calculating child maintenance which can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/making-child-maintenance-arrangement
Turn2us is a charity providing financial advice and assistance. It also assists in calculating any benefits to which you may be entitled. The link is: https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/
Pensions
AdviceNow guidance on pensions gives essential information about pensions and clearly sets out your options on divorce. The link is: https://www.advicenow.org.uk?guides/survival-guide-pensions-divorce
The Pension Tracing Service can help you look for details regarding a workplace or personal pension: https://www.pension-tracing-service.com
If you need information regarding your State pension, this government website may provide useful information, including a forecast: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension
Going to Court
Should you decide to go to Court and you may not (yet) have instructed a solicitor, here are a few AdviceNow guides links that may be helpful.
Court proceedings for child arrangements: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-apply-court-order-about-arrangements-your-children-without-help-lawyer
Court proceedings regarding finances: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-apply-financial-order-without-help-lawyer
For young people
These links are specifically for young people.
Young Minds offer urgent support and guidance for young people, in particular on stress, anger and grief: https://youngminds.org.uk/
Childline has a wealth of information to help with difficult feelings and situations: https://www.childline.org.uk/
The Family Justice Young People's Board is made up of children and young people with direct experience of family separation and disputes. They provide child-centred and child-inclusive advice: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/family-justice-young-peoples-board/
Single parents
These links provide information for single parents regarding the law, housing, finance, general parenting and mediation.
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
For single mums: https://www.onlymums.org/
For single dads: https://www.onlydads.org/
Emotional support
Family challenges can become overwhelming. Support is available.
The NHS page has various services and how to access them:
- services: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/how-to-access-mental-health-services/
- comprehensive list of mental health helplines: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines
The Samaritans helpline is open 24/7. Call 116 123 or visit: https://www.samaritans.org/
Relate page has various services to help with relationships: https://www.relate.org.uk
Cruse bereavement support in times of grief: https://www.cruse.org.uk
Domestic abuse
The United Nations defines domestic abuse as being 'typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behaviour toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim. Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic and sexual in nature.'
In the United Kingdom, the cross-governmental definition of abuse is: 'any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but it's not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.'
The Citizens Advice website has a comprehensive list of support services: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/
Domestic Abuse helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Men's advice line: https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Galop (for members of the LGBTQ+ community): https://www.galop.org.uk
NSPCC for children: https://www.nspcc.org.uk
Disclaimer: Nancy Khawam Médiation is not responsible for the content of external websites. The above links are provided to support families with sign-posting and for general information purposes only.
Each family situation is unique.
