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Children and Coercive Control- The Hidden Epidemic We Can No Longer Ignore When Fiona Drouet last saw her daughter, Emily, she noticed that her eyes had lost their sparkle. Just weeks later, Fiona’s world fell apart. Emily had taken her own life, aged 18, after months of relentless coercive control and abuse from her boyfriend; […]

Coercive Control in Young Relationships What Parents, Teachers, and Friends Should Look Out For Coercive control doesn’t always start with violence. It begins with charm, attention, and intensity, but slowly evolves into control, fear, and isolation. For many teenagers, these warning signs go unnoticed until it’s too late. The stories of Emily Drouet and Chloe Holland show how devastating

Protecting Children’s Rights in Family Proceedings When family disputes reach the courts, children can sometimes be caught in the middle. Whether in cases of divorce, separation, custody disputes, or domestic violence, the child’s voice must remain central. In family law cases, a guardian may be appointed to represent the child’s best interests. At Ash Family Law, we believe

Grandparents’ Rights: Understanding Visitation, Custody & Child Arrangements Orders Grandparents play a vital role in family life, offering love, stability, and guidance to their grandchildren. But when disputes such as divorce, separation, or conflict arise, grandparents can suddenly lose contact. At Ash Family Law, we can advise you about grandparents’ rights and child arrangements orders. With over 18 years

Who Gets a Say in Education Decisions? When parents separate or divorce, one of the biggest questions they face is: who gets to make important decisions about their child’s education? From choosing schools to agreeing on term-time holidays, these decisions often become points of conflict. In the UK, the answer lies in parental responsibility (PR). What is Parental

Why Breakups Rise After Summer Holidays For many families, summer is a time for holidays, relaxation, and creating memories together. Yet, across the UK, solicitors often see a noticeable rise in separation and divorce enquiries once September arrives. This trend, sometimes called the “September separation surge”, is no coincidence. But why do breakups increase after the

Child Maintenance and Summer Expenses: Who Pays for What? When summer rolls around, it often brings sunshine, school holidays—and a surge in unexpected expenses for parents. From day activities to family trips, and from childcare to travel costs, summer can become a financial juggling act, particularly for separated or divorced parents. One of the most

A Practical Guide for Separated Parents for Summer Holidays It’s the summer holidays and many separated parents face the same question: how do we make child contact arrangements that work for everyone; especially the children? At Ash Family Law, we understand that planning holiday contact can feel stressful and emotionally charged. That’s why we’ve created

Going on holiday with your children can be a wonderful way to make memories and enjoy time together — especially after the challenges of a separation or divorce. But for separated parents, taking children abroad involves more than booking flights and packing bags. There are important legal requirements and potential pitfalls to be aware of.

The school holidays can be a wonderful time for families, offering opportunities for rest, travel, and quality time with children. But for separated or divorced parents, this period can also bring a unique set of challenges. Differing expectations, changes to routine, and unclear communication can lead to unnecessary stress for both parents and children. At