On Tuesday the 13th April 2010 Mary spoke to The Catholic Womens’ League in St Albans about life as a family solicitor. She briefly summarised some typical issues including :-
- Grandparents, whose adult children were incapable of caring for their children, taking over care of their grandchildren to prevent Social Services removing them. Discussing the role of Special Guardianship Orders in such circumstances.
- Threats to abduct a child – considering emergency remedies available under the Children Act and the Family Law Act.
- The breakdown of lengthy marriages where parties are close to retirement when most of their capital is invested in pensions and the matrimonial home.
- The break up of cohabiting partners where only one partner owns the family home and there are children.
- Parents and grandparents who are being denied contact with children.
Mary also told the group about the services offered by :-
- The Grandparents’ Association
- Resolution - First for Family Law
- Families Need Fathers
- Relate
- Marriage Care.
- Local Contact Centres (National Association of Child Contact Centres).
She also spoke about the many changes and developments she had observed in the field of Family Law since she first started practising in 1981.
At the end of the meeting there was an opportunity to mention the importance of reviewing Wills, making Lasting Powers of Attorney and Mary drew attention to an article which appeared in The Independent newspaper on the 1st April 2010 which can be seen at: The Independent
Neves Solicitors are always happy to provide speakers at such meetings; if this is of interest please contact us.
