Ursula Rice
Director, Solicitor, Solicitor Advocate, Judge
New house, new life together – we don’t want to rain on your parade but sometimes things just don’t work out the way you thought. Preparing now can help enormously if things don’t go to plan.
And it’s not just if you’re the one in the relationship. If you’re a parent who’s helping your son and daughter with a house purchase, then we can help you protect your share of the deal.
Prenuptial agreements are becoming more common. The purpose is to ring fence your money and belongings so that, if you divorce, the Judge has guidelines on how to allocate the assets.
In America (where much of our more recent law ideas come from, as well as our best films about prenuptial agreements), the concept of the “prenup” is part of their legal system.
Over here, a prenup is still not written into law as legally binding. However, because ‘all the circumstances of the case’ can be taken into consideration, if there is a prenup, it is part of the relevant factors a Judge must think about.
Approach it rationally, think of it as insurance. Make sure it contains sensible housing provisions for your spouse – any prenup that throws your ex-wife on the street to live under the arches is not going to be upheld if it is challenged.
Ensure you work out what will change if/when children arrive on the scene.
If you are putting money into a house purchase but you are not married, then you could be gambling your money unless you set down exactly who owns what share…
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“Great service and timely communications, written in a way that conveyed the points well, but didn’t cause alarm or stress. This is a refreshing change, having dealt with a much bigger law firm whose communications were stressful and badly written. Thank you for the speed with which you conducted my instructions. A great improvement compared…
“Today I came away from court with more than what I ever imagined possible. From the first day I enquired until this afternoon, they couldn’t have been any better. So sincere and genuine in their advice and approach. I really can’t recommend or thank them enough.”
“I went through terrible time in my life but Jenny was so friendly and understanding. She was the best I could possibly have imagined, after having spoken to so many solicitors who were just after my money and didn’t care about me. I can’t thank you guys enough. I will be recommending Jenny in the…
“A great big thank you for all your help to date. You have always been a pleasure to deal with and I’ve really appreciated your no-nonsense personable approach that has also championed my ability to do much of this myself and as a side effect has really helped raise my post-divorce confidence. I have and…
“Hannah was amazing – I can’t recommend her highly enough. She provided me with amazing value for money, support and advice at a time when I needed it the most. Although I hope to never need her help again, if I did, Family First would be my first port of call.”
“I had an excellent experience with Family First Solicitors. Hannah was absolutely amazing throughout. She listened to all of my concerns and answered all of my questions. I could not have gone through the family court process without her help, guidance and support. Thank you for a result which I didn’t think I could ever…
“Just signed the documents. I thought I’d send you an email to thank you for your kind help as I feel like I have finally made some progress, and I wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Hopefully the court process goes smoothly. Much appreciated!”
“Fantastic! Very caring and compassionate, the pay-as-you-go service is excellent. The advice I have received has been spot on and has helped me get through this difficult process. I have recommended them to friends that are having similar difficulties.”
“Very practical, helpful and understanding – I felt a huge sense of relief after speaking to Hannah – £120 well spent.”
“I was having a difficult time with a consent order for a divorce and Ursula offered me affordable advice that made me feel supported and comfortable. I really appreciate all her help and would highly recommend Family First for affordable but professional advice.”
“Jenny guided me through the hardest time in my life and rescued me at short notice more than once! She has been so helpful – I couldn’t have got through it all without her help. She understood where I was coming from and actually listened to me. If I ever need advice and help again…
“I had previously represented myself in court, which caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. Then I was recommended to Family First by a friend and Hannah took on my case. She was upfront and honest with me, was able to explain things in a way that I could understand and answered all of…
“I would personally like to thank you for your time, swift professional advice and your open and honest approach to my situation and would not hesitate to recommend your company.”
“Thank you for how fantastic and supportive you were with me on a personal level. You were the firm-but-fair reality check I needed at a very wobbly time. Without you I would never have got my act together and be in the (beautiful!) place I am now. My partner and I have found a way…
“I visited Henrietta at Family First Solicitors following the breakdown of my marriage. I had little idea of how difficult and protracted the process would become and how much I would come to rely upon and value her excellent professional advice. From applying for the initial Decree Nisi to preparing for the court hearing, Henrietta…
“I had a fantastic experience with Henrietta and the rest of the team at Family First Solicitors. I highly recommend them to anybody looking for an honest, trustworthy and reliable legal service. Henrietta guided me through the most difficult time of my life, providing a phenomenal level of service and helping me build a water-tight…
“George was amazing. He managed to fit me in at short notice and was very patient. He explained things clearly – making sure I understood everything thoroughly throughout the case. He was very supportive around the court date and time too. Thank you George and Ursula. Now I finally feel free and have got the…
“Ursula Rice at Family First is one amazing lady! Thanks to her, my divorce and settlement was sorted within a year, having previously had three other solicitors rip me off over nine years. I cant thank her enough – she is so down-to-earth and offered me the best advice possible. The solicitors I previously used…
“Jenny represented me in family court at a very stressful time. She proved to be very knowledgable and professional in getting matters concluded. I would highly recommend her and Family Fist Solicitors.”
“Ursula gave sound, easy to understand & down to earth advice. 100% supportive, & suggested appropriate way to pay i.e. Pay-as-you-go, as minimal support needed”
“I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with me and supporting me during the hardest part of life. You have supported me to make me mentally strong and given me great professional advice.”
“I used Family First Solicitors for a complex issue following a separation from my partner. Everything was conducted remotely on a ‘pay as you go’ basis, as I’m 150 miles away from their offices, and it worked brilliantly. It meant I didn’t rack up a huge legal bill and was able to access the advice…
“I have really appreciated Jenny’s work on my case. She has been very responsive and is always compassionate, thoughtful and respectful and I have always felt like she is genuinely cares about the outcome and understands what it would mean for me and the girls. I know so many people who have had excessive charges…
“Discovering Family First has been a revelation. I have been in litigation for over 8 years, and had received poor service from two other solicitors. I’ve been a PAYG client with Family First for the last 6 years and it has served me extremely well – enabling my complex and protracted divorce litigation to be…
“I want to say a massive thank you for making this so pain-free. I know it wasn’t the most complicated of divorce settlements, but it’s still a massive relief to have it all done and dusted so quickly and without any undue stress or unforeseen costs. Thank you so much.” K.E.
“I would like to thank you so much for putting me in touch with Bruna. She was an absolute Godsend to me during a very difficult and stressful time. What I liked so much about working with Bruna was her understanding of the emotions that come up for parents when going through child arrangements. The…
“Family First Solicitors have been very professional and helpful with my case and situation. They are knowledgeable, professional, empathic, friendly and most of all genuine. You get good value here including updates about where your money is going, and they always ask if you’re happy with the next move before they proceed. I would recommend…
“I can highly recommend Ursula Rice, who was such a friendly and understanding solicitor throughout my divorce proceedings. I always had a prompt response to queries and was kept up to date. I could not have chosen a better solicitor who understood the needs of myself and my children through a difficult time.”
“Exceptional value for the services you receive. Can’t thank them enough for everything they did for me before, during and after my court hearing. Shame I can’t give more stars. Special thanks to Hannah for making it such an amazing experience for me.”
“I would highly recommend Family First’s services. I’d met with two different solicitors regarding my matter and paid handsomely for the poor experience, before being recommended Family First. I met with Jenny, who was knowledgeable, clear, approachable and patient. Overall a far better service than anywhere else I’ve been – and cheaper.”
“I have been using Family First’s “Pay as you Go” service right the way through, from thinking about issuing divorce proceedings, to going through to obtaining a financial agreement. From start to finish, the service has been excellent. I have had the right help, at the right time, and have felt completely supported. Henrietta has…
In this section, we cover the most frequently asked questions we receive about family law, separation and divorce, and we continually add new topics as they arise.
If your query is not covered, simply call us on 03334 440 003 of fill in the enquiry form below and we’ll do our best to help you.
Why wouldn’t you want to sort out the sticky ending, when in a positive and optimistic and productive frame of mind, rather than the dark underbelly of being in a divorce?
How do I approach a conversation about a pre-nup with my intended spouse? You may feel awkward about approaching the subject, because it can be.
Why do I need a Pre-nup? New house, new life together, we don’t want to bring you down but preparing now can help if things don’t go to plan.
Mesher orders: this is an order where the family home is not sold until certain triggers; usually: The person who occupies is dead. They remarry or cohabit…
A pension sharing order allows for the division of pension assets between divorcing spouses. Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:
1. Financial Needs: Assess….
Not directly. The court’s primary objective is to achieve a fair settlement based on the individual circumstances of the case.
In England and Wales, the division of finances during a divorce is based on the principles of fairness and meeting the needs of both parties. The legislation that governs financial settlements in divorce cases in the UK is the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. Section 25.
Its easy to go into fuming but frozen mode, which isn’t going to help. Try and step back from the emotion of the situation and be proactive. Here are some things you can do:
In general, business assets may be subject to division during a divorce but much depends on what kind of business it is, and how it came into the marriage
Generally not! It very much depends on one overriding factor in our experience – personality. That’s because there is ALWAYS a way to fix things, even in the most complicated scenarios, if people are reasonable and can listen to the other person’s point of view.
If the person receiving the maintenance remarries, then maintenance payments are immediately terminated under the law. If the paying person remarries then there is no effect on the maintenance by law. However, the payer may ask the court to drop their payment down.
The involvement of solicitors in a divorce can sometimes contribute to increased hostility between the parties, but it is not necessarily the case in every situation.
The costs of a divorce only are generally borne by the party making the divorce application. You can ask the court to make your ex-spouse pay the costs later down the line, but you need to remember to apply for it on the online divorce platform.
Contact helplines and support organisations: In the UK, you can contact organisations such as the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or Women’s Aid for support, advice, and guidance
Deciding to separate instead of getting divorced is a personal choice that depends on your individual circumstances and needs. It’s important to consider the legal implications and understand the potential consequences of separation.
“Entitled to” is the wrong way of looking at it really. It makes more sense to say “ how much to I need” as a starting point, for most people. For the very rich few, there may be a concept of “entitlement” but even then it is not a given.
When you are dealing with financial matters in divorce, there will come a point where you are told to disclose your assets and your income. Even if you have decided that you don’t need to do full deep dive bank statement disclosure, there will still be some financial disclosure.
Since April 2022, it is far less likely that your spouse will refuse to accept the divorce. The fact that there is no ‘blame’ in the new divorce process means that it is likely that both parties know that the marriage is over and will both want to get to legal closure and officially separate.
However, the legal process can sometimes be abused by a spouse not engaging in the process…
If your divorce began before 06th April 2022, then you will be in the old system of ‘fault-based’ divorce.
The old fault-based UK divorce system dated from 1973 and was complicated by the requirement for the Petitioner to rely on a ‘fact’ to supports the grounds for divorce. In addition to the ‘ground’ for divorce being ‘irretrievable breakdown’, one of these five ‘facts’ had to be proven:
1. Adultery
2. Desertion
3. Unreasonable Behaviour
4. Separation for 2 years with consent (this was often the least contentious and ‘nicest’ fact)
5. Separation for 5 years due to one party refusing to consent to the divorce
In the bad old days, you needed to give a ‘fact’ as grounds for divorce: adultery, desertion, unreasonable behaviour, separation for two years with consent (both of you agree to Divorce) or, as a last resort, separation for five years if one party is refusing the divorce.
As you can imagine, this generated a lot of work for family lawyers and a great deal of unhappiness and ‘finger pointing’ between spouses. It added a layer of complexity, and lots of money was spent on the technicalities – going back and forth trying to negotiate your way out of them.
In some divorces, there’s a real danger that assets of significant value will be lost, spent or somehow dissipated before the divorce is finalised.
If there is evidence that a spouse is about to make a disposition with the intention to of defeating the Applicant’s claim for financial relief, then you can make an application for an Injunction to stop them. If you can show that the intended disposition would completely ruin your chances of a just financial outcome, then the court will presume that that is the intention. The court will make such an order as it thinks fit to restrain the Respondent from disposing of the assets, or whatever it takes to protect your claim.
Family Mediation helps people who have been in some kind of relationship, end it with dignity and fairness to all.
The Mediator is a trained professional who is neutral. The Mediator does not take a side, but they will try and help with issues that affect the both of you, ensuring that both of you see things for each other’s perspectives.
The Mediator will meet with both parties individually at first…
As a general rule, if you can, you should try to make a joint application. That way, there are no surprises and it is the outcome that you both know you need. If you think your spouse is likely to be uncooperative – even after some advice and catching up emotionally – you may be better off making a sole application. There is no longer an option to contest a divorce. However, there may be issues with the service of the divorce papers. If that becomes a problem, we can help.
If you are in a domestically abusive relationship…
The cost of the divorce itself should be relatively inexpensive. You can keep the divorce cost down in two different ways:
1. Doing much of the administrative work on your divorce yourself.
This method of managing the cost of a divorce only costs you your time and the current court fee of £593, which you can pay to the court via their online system.
2. Instructing a Solicitor for help with your Divorce.
This could be because you don’t have the time to do the admin, because you are feeling overwhelmed or you don’t the mental bandwidth for it right now. Family First Solicitors offer fixed fee divorce at £900 +VAT. The court fee of £593 is still payable in full.
If you are filing online (i.e. after April 2022), the process will take around 6-8 months.
This is because we find that most people have busy lives and need about a month to gather all of their paperwork, undertake conversations that need to be had, and get up and running before they press ‘go’.
There is then a little bit of delay built into the process
Like any normal person, one of your biggest fears is spending all of your money on lawyers. You are quite right to be afraid, minimising your lawyer spend should be a priority both for you and your spouse.
So if you’re asking “How can I keep my divorce costs down?”, here are four options…
Sometimes, when things get heated; one spouse says to the other: “I’m going to make you sell the house”. You will naturally be wondering “Can I stop my house being sold?” Well, at least, on a temporary basis that the answer is generally yes, you can stop the house being sold.
Lets look at the various scenarios:
1. You are a joint owner of the house. It’s really simple…
Dave from London and his wife Sue had decided to divorce. They were on speaking terms, but things were difficult. Dave thought that mediation might help, and the fact that…
Seeing Family First made me feel as if someone could make sense of it all. I got the advice I need, and they gave me some great contacts for other…
London-based husband and father, Peter, was facing a tough choice. He had been married to his wife for 25 years, but he and his wife had drifted apart and were…
I went to see Family First last week. For the first time I am feeling hopeful.
I needed my family legal proceedings in capable hands and with Family First, they were. The Family First Interview told me everything I needed to know about getting started.
But when it did, I was so glad I chose Family First. My husband was so difficult about sharing the things we had built up together. He said it was…
Family First helped me understand what I needed to do. They ensured that I had a really good picture of what we owned.
Melanie and Robert from Oxford had been separated for a year, during which there was a lot of wrangling over custody of their infant daughter. Melanie wanted to take their daughter…
When the wheels came off at home Nick was really shocked. Things weren’t good at home and the rows and the cold shoulder from his wife were really getting him…
Henry and his ex split up about a year ago. They both live in Oxford and their son, aged 5, lives with Henry’s ex.
Esther and her boyfriend were ready to set up home together in Oxford. It seemed like the right time for them – they’d been together for a year, things were…
I needed help urgently. We werenʼt getting on and we had both been to see Solicitors. It was obvious we were going to split up.
We thought weʼd never see the grandkids again. She was adamant that she didnʼt have to let the kids see our son, never mind us, even though we had looked…
Mother, Fiona, and her husband were living separate lives. With children to feed and no financial support from her husband, Fiona was struggling to make ends meet. She needed to…
I was determined to protect my share of the house, just in case. Family First explained the process as well as the pitfalls of moving in.
Paying legal fees is the single biggest worry for people who are thinking about getting advice. So how can you get the advice that you think you need?
Two great song titles in one blog post…(The one an eighties cheesefest that was number one in the charts for ages and the other a Led Zeppelin track. A connection…
When a relationship reaches crisis point, it can be tempting to think, “That’s it, I’m leaving the matrimonial home because I just can’t stand it”. When it comes to “Should…
Many people come to see a family lawyer saying, why bother with a consent order to tie up the money and finances in divorce, when we can just knock it…
We did a Facebook campaign recently which just said “Prenuptial agreements – why risk your assets?”. While quite a lot of people “Liked” the post, there were also a few…
If you are separating from your spouse, you may feel overwhelmed by the worries of money and organising your financial stuff during a divorce. You are not alone in thinking…
The recent case of Wyatt v Vince goes like this: counter cultural gentleman uses festival raver knowledge to crack the bad-ass world of commercial electricity generation.
The DRAMA – that’s why family lawyers enjoy their job (sometimes). Nobody walks into our office/ facebook page and tells their story in measured unemotional terms.
Security of tenure is a fancy way of saying “how easy can you be kicked out of where you live”. This blog explains the basics about security of tenure. Read…
Recently I advised a Deaf client. The enquiry came in by email, was firmed up using the text relay service, and the advice was given with the assistance of a…
Jenny Warriner explains about mediation, including how it works, our costs and how many sessions to expect. The initial meeting (MIAMS) costs £120 and is a wonderful opportunity to find…
Without Notice applications: What they are and what makes it likely to will get one. Parents often ask us for advice on an emergency about a child. But is it…
With the rise and rise of the internet, law consumers are able to find a family Solicitor at the click of a button. Our innovative Pay As You Go Law…
Without notice (or as lawyers call them ” ex parte ” ) injunctions are a court application for an order without telling the other side you are going to get…
We helped to make this (quite long) video on how to fill out your form E. If you are in financial proceedings you may like to take a look.
When we are acting for parents in a dispute about a child we are often asked whether our client can recover their costs from the other parent.
If you are in or contemplating family court proceedings then formal disclosure is a concept you are about to become familiar with. Disclosure in the family court process is the…
Preparing a statement for the family court can be a daunting process. However, when your statement is put in front of the Judge it should help your case, instead of…
If we had a quid for every time we were assured by a parent that “I never say anything bad about my Ex in front of my child” then we…
Criticising Cafcass – When you are not happy with your section 7 report do you a) ring your local office a billion times to rant, channelling your inner Kanye West…
One of the most difficult issues the family courts grapple with is called “internal relocation”. This covers cases where one parent is told by another parent the they are moving…
Over many years of practice, I have been surprised (startled even) by how many clients assume that I do other kinds of law regularly , like criminal or property work.…
UK Family Lawyer George Sayers discusses international relocation with children, including costs, traps and an overview of what to watch out for.
Using unbundled legal services in family law is often an excellent way to afford legal advice from qualified professional when funds are tight.
Pets in a divorce can be a very emotive subject, read on to find out the legal position and some good ideas to help you stay with your faithful friend…
You are in the middle of an acrimonious split. You have found true love, moved to the next county, gone long term sick off work AND you know for a…
You may have heard of a McKenzie friend and be considering one to support you in court. There’s no doubt that going to court is a daunting experience and having…
Abusive relationships are not always violent. You know something isn’t right but why does it feel so wrong? Read on to find out if you may be in an abusive…
You know and I know that those boxes are far too small to explain to a Judge why you need what you need, and what your money is spent on.…
Children Act disputes between parents often start because of the use of alcohol or drugs by one (or both) of the parents. It has probably been an issue for sometime…
We know a lot of you out there are writing statements for the family court without help. Read on to find out more…
If you have a court case about a child going on, you probably already know that “wishes and feelings” are part of the checklist of things a judge has to…
If your ex has dropped the D- bomb then here is a handy guide to where to start. Do’s and Don’ts to get you through those first few days.
When at the beginning or middle of a divorce it can be difficult see the end of the process. It seems overwhelming and endless. But we promise you that the…
A new domestic abuse law reached the statute books earlier this year amidst some controversy. Although not yet live, Section 76 Serious Crime Act 2015 soon will be, bringing with…
In this post we set out ten of the most FAQ and Answers about Parental Responsibility (PR) – the legal concept that links parents with the children and vice versa.
In an earlier blog we talked about disclosure in the family court process, and discussed form E and the necessary requirements to get it sorted. in this blog we talk…
More and more people are going to court without a lawyer – and that includes going to a final hearing.
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Fill in the form and we’ll call you back.
Book your initial meeting for £360