My former partner is making a claim against me ============================================== A claim by your ex can be complex and expensive. Whether they are seeking provision for themselves, or for your child, you will want the very best legal representation you can get. It is a common misconception that cohabiting couples can become 'common law spouses' and attain a legal status similar to married couples. However, it is important to know that the concept of a 'common law marriage' is not legally recognised in England and Wales. The financial claims which your ex-partner can make against you will vary depending on whether you were married, have children together, or lived in or owned a property together As top family lawyers, Vardags have significant experience in defending financial claims by former cohabitees, as well as former spouses. We will advise you when you should, and when you shouldn't, need to make provision and help you negotiate the best deal. Where court proceedings cannot be avoided, we will fight hard to get you the best possible settlement. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -------------------------- Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as common law marriage and a former cohabitee has no automatic rights to a share in your property. Sometimes, however, a successful claim can arise under trust and property law. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/former-partner-claiming-share-of-property "My former partner is claiming to be entitled to a share of the property.") Schedule 1 of the Children's Act allows for a parent to seek financial support for their children from the "non-resident" parent. This includes regular payments of child maintenance but can also extend to providing a house for the child and paying other expenses such as school fees. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/former-partner-wants-financial-contribution "My former partner wants a financial contribution on behalf of our children, do I have to pay?") Whether it is due to a downturn in your business, ill-health or retirement, you might find that the maintenance payments are taking a disproportionate amount of your income. If that is the case, you can ask the court for a downward variation of the child maintenance which you pay. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/unaffordable-costs-of-bringing-up-children "I can no longer afford to pay the costs of bringing up our children, what should I do?") Though uncommon, false allegations of domestic abuse can be extremely distressing. As leading family lawyers, Vardags can help you to defend against such claims and put forward your case. If false allegations are not firmly refuted, the consequences can be very serious. An occupation or non-molestation order could lead to you being removed from your home or even arrested by the police. These orders can also have significant impact on your professional life and be used to limit the time you spend with your children after separation. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family/false-allegations-abusive "How can I defend myself against false allegations that I have been abusive?") [MORE FAQS](https://vardags.com/faq/children-and-family) OUR Children & Family TEAM ------------------------------ [### Caroline Korah](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children") [### Lucy Bolton](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family") [### Jemima Kearney](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor") [Partner - Head of Children](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children") [Partner and Co-Head of Manchester and Regional Offices - Divorce & Family](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family") [Associate](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor") [### Caroline Korah Partner - Head of Children](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/caroline-korah "Caroline Korah Vardags Partner Head of Children")"Caroline Korah is a highly dedicated lawyer who fearlessly represents her clients' interest" Legal 500 [### Lucy Bolton Partner and Co-Head of Manchester and Regional Offices - Divorce & Family ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/manchester/lucy-bolton "Lucy Williams Vardags Partner Divorce & Family")"Lucy Williams is loved by clients and counsel" Legal 500 [### Jemima Kearney Associate ](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/jemima-kearney "Jemima Kearney Graduate Trainee Solicitor")"JEMIMA KEARNEY IS A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, ELOQUENT, EMPATHETIC, AND DETAIL-FOCUSED ASSOCIATE, A BRIGHT FUTURE STAR IN DIVORCE LAW" Legal 500 [Meet the rest of the team](https://vardags.com/team/children) Is Vardags Right For You? ------------------------- We offer a free consultation to qualifying individuals. Please call our confidential enquiry line on **020 7404 9390**. Lines are staffed 24 hours. When you contact us a member of our client relations team will take the full details of your situation, assess whether we can assist you, and if so, determine the best team for your case. Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")