All Things Family Law

Double, Double ‘Goyal’ and Trouble: An Easy Way to Sharing Foreign Assets on Divorce? I n the hustle and bustle of the run up to Christmas one can (perhaps) be forgiven for overlooking the latest decision on the ability of the English courts to impose orders over foreign assets. Whilst we were all eating mince pies and watching Home Alone as if it were a new release, the court was seeking to provide clarity on an issue which is becoming so important in an increasingly globalised world. The case of Goyal v Goyal [2016] EWHC 2758 (Fam ) provides, at least in the interim, welcome guidance and reinforcement of the principles of sharing foreign assets. It is also a stark reminder of the fatality of failing to follow the correct procedures and how the court will not indulge such shortcomings even where a party does not have the benefit of legal representation (Mrs Goyal did not have a lawyer).   The (Brief) History Mr and Mrs   Goyal had been married for 8 yea...

Many will be blissfully unaware that a new Universal Credit was introduced by the government in 2012 as part of its welfare reforms. It replaces seven of the means tested benefits including child and working tax credits. It has already been introduced in different parts of the country and now the Tories have obtained a majority it is going to be phased out across to all parts of the country by 2017. What does this mean for me? It will mean that if you receive tax credits (or other means tested benefits) you will receive just the Universal Credit. Given that the government needs to find £12bn in welfare savings I very much suspect its introduction will mean, in one way or the other, some form of cut to the amount of financial help you receive. Why is a family solicitor telling me this? Good point. Well, there is more… Presently any child or spousal maintenance payments from an ex-spouse are not taken into account when calculating tax credits. They are completely ign...

    Reading that Louis Van Gaal has decided to break from Man Utd’s usual tradition of staying in a hotel by allowing the players to stay at home on Christmas night reminds me how difficult it is for football players over the festive break. Before you shoot me down in flames with the usual ‘well they get paid loads of money’ – true as that is (for a small proportion of players) – actually, having children myself, my view is that no money can replace being away from your children and family on Christmas. That thought leads me on to other points.... Many people really do not appreciate the sacrifices a footballer makes. Of course, before I proceed, I am not minimising how difficult it is for those millions of families struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table over Christmas, but that in itself does not mean there should be a complete lack of appreciation for the life of a footballer. Take a footballer playing for a club in Europe – perhaps the Eu...