The Common Law Marriage Myth. What Rights do you have?
Recent statistics show that over 90% of unmarried couples are surprised to discover their lack of rights in relation to pensions, property or income, even if they have been living with their partner for a number of years. Breaking down the ‘Common Law Marriage Myth,’ we’ve asked our Head of Family Law Emma Hamilton Cole to answer some commonly asked questions. She is keen to...
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Williams Thompson Backs National ‘No Fault Divorce’ Campaign
With 1.7m divorcing couples compelled to assign blame, our team of Family Law Solicitors have joined urgent calls for divorce law reform in England and Wales. Two members of the Williams Thompson Team, Emma Hamilton Cole Partner & Head of Family Law and Family Solicitor Charlotte Millard, are keen to highlight the current legal requirement to assign blame during divorce proceedings. This destabilising requirement is...
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Join us to celebrate Autism Wessex 50th Anniversary
It’s time to light the candles and pop the fizz because Autism Wessex is 50 this summer! Autism Wessex, a regional charity which provides specialist services for adults and children affected by autism and associated difficulties, is 50 years old this August. Over the past six years, our team at Williams Thompson has built a great relationship with the amazing representatives of Autism Wessex. We’ve...
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Celebrating Our First Ever ‘Breakfast on Bridge Street’!
Last month, we were delighted to host our first ever Breakfast on Bridge Street networking event for Christchurch businesses at our Williams Thompson Offices. A hugely successful event we had nearly 30 business representatives in attendance, this included new and familiar faces, plus members of our own team. Bringing the business community together over tea, coffee, bacon rolls, pastries and chit-chat, we were pleased to...
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Emma Helps to Give Children a ‘Voice’ in Divorce Decision Making
We are pleased to announce that Emma Hamilton Cole, who is both Partner and Head of Family Law at our firm, has successfully completed her Child Consultation Qualification training. Enhancing her professional expertise, Emma is now one of only a handful of solicitors locally who are qualified to talk with children as a part of mediation meetings in which arrangements are being made for a...
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A Fond Farewell, Peter and Anne Watson Lee Retire from the Firm
Written by Suzanne Kadziola, Practice Manager and Partner at Williams Thompson. With happiness and an equal abundance of sadness, I can announce the retirement of beloved duo, Chairman Peter Watson-Lee and Firm Partner, Anne Watson-Lee. Together the pair have been instrumental in the development of our firm over the years, serving a combined 60 plus years with us. I would, therefore, like to highlight some...
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Raising Awareness for Family Mediation Week
Charlotte Milliard is a qualified Mediator, Family Law Solicitor and the Chair of ‘Dorset Resolution’ (the family law association). With over 100,000 couples in the UK divorcing on a yearly basis, Charlotte is highlighting the benefits of mediation for separating couples. It’s ‘Family Mediation Week’ and a great opportunity for us talk about the benefits of the Family Mediation process. If you’re currently separating and...
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Stephen Bowden Tackles Moving Home Stress
Stephen Bowden is a highly respected property lawyer and the Head of our Property Department. Utilising his experience, Stephen has given some expert advice to help people relieve some the stress associated with buying or selling a home. According to a recent survey, it’s been reported that people find the task of selling their home more stressful than any other major life event, more so...
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Separating Couples Realise the Benefits of Mediation
Emotionally the end of a relationship can be an incredibly difficult time for both individuals, even more so, when disagreements result in the added stress and financial burden of Court proceedings. Generally completed within a considerably shorter time frame, mediation is a lesser known alternative for resolving disputes. As an accredited specialist family mediator and professional practice consultant, I want separating couples to know the...
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Changing Relationships and Dealing with Divorce
By Emma Hamilton Cole According to recent statistics, there has been a significant decrease in divorce rates over the last few years. Divorces were down 9.1% in 2015 compared to 2014. Whilst this is good news for some couples, it may simply be representative of a shifting trend in family and relationship structures. Shifting Relationship Trends Part of the reason for the decline in divorce...
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