I’m getting a divorce – Will I get support from my employer?

Posted on 14th September 2023 by McAlister Family Law

I’m getting a divorce – Will I get support from my employer?

Going through a divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things a person can experience. Going through a divorce whilst also working however can seem an impossible task. Here, Weronika Husejko looks at the pressure on divorcing couples and explores how employers are providing support to their divorcing employees.

Most people suffer from an extreme amount of stress when separating from their spouse, the breakdown of the marriage being a significant change to their life. In addition to coping with the emotional side of the break-up, spouses must also deal with the practical side, to formalise the separation, which can be overwhelming.

The majority of separating spouses have financial ties, such as jointly owned property, which will need to be divided. One of the toughest parts of a divorce is usually when the couple must make a decision as to how these assets should be divided, particularly in cases where there are not enough to meet both spouses’ needs.

Dealing with these types of financial matters upon separation is challenging and emotionally draining, particularly for those who end up in Court proceedings, due to their time consuming and costly nature. For example, those in Court proceedings are usually required to comply with several Court directions, including attending Court hearings, which is a stressful experience in itself.

A divorce is therefore very demanding and as a result, it is not uncommon for employees experiencing a marital breakdown to feel torn between their job and their divorce, this often having a detrimental effect on their mental health. Historically speaking this has been something which most employees have unfortunately been expected to endure.

The BBC have however recently reported that some companies are beginning to introduce and build policies which are intended to help their employees in navigating a divorce.

By way of example, some companies are offering benefits such as: –

Paid time off to attend things such as solicitors’ meetings or mediation.
Flexible working arrangements
Access to emotional and mental health support
Access to legal advice

There are also organisations in the UK which are trying to promote more family-friendly policies like those mentioned above to help those going through the breakdown of a relationship. For example, the Positive Parenting Alliance have called for a separation to be recognised as a ‘life event’ by employers in HR policies and have also suggested that employees going through a separation should be offered support by way of counselling if needed.

Tesco is one of the first large companies in the UK to provide their employees with this type of support, as recommended by the Positive Parenting Alliance.

In summary, whether you get any support from your employer during your divorce will be dependent upon their specific company policy, so you may wish to consider speaking to your HR department about the options available to you.

It does seem that there is a shift happening with more companies recognising the difficulties involved in a marital breakdown. In my view, this is a positive shift which also demonstrates an increasing awareness of the importance of mental health generally, which will hopefully result in more people receiving the support they need during what is a very difficult time.

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in this blog post, we can provide you with expert legal advice. For more information, please get in touch with our specialist team at hello@mcalisterfamilylaw.co.uk

Are pre-nuptial agreements only for the rich and famous?

Posted on 31st August 2023 by McAlister Family Law

Are pre-nuptial agreements only for the rich and famous?

As seen with the ongoing separation of Hollywood star Kevin Costner, pre-nuptial agreements are often considered something that is limited to the super-wealthy or the Hollywood Hills. McAlister Family Law Associate, Aaron Williams, aims to shed light on what prenuptial agreements entail and whether they hold legal weight in the United Kingdom.

Prenuptial agreements, often referred to as “prenups,” are legal documents that couples enter into before marriage or civil partnership to outline the division of assets and financial responsibilities in the event of separation or divorce. A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract that helps couples establish financial boundaries and protect their assets in the event of a relationship breakdown. Although these agreements are more commonly associated with high-net-worth individuals, they can benefit any couple looking to safeguard their financial interests.

The primary purpose of a prenup is to provide clarity and certainty regarding the division of assets, debts, and other financial matters. It allows couples to determine how their property, investments, inheritances, and business interests will be divided in the event of separation or divorce. Prenuptial agreements can also address issues such as spousal support and the allocation of debts, providing a comprehensive framework for resolving potential disputes. Prenuptial agreements are legally recognized in the United Kingdom, but their enforceability is subject to the discretion of the courts. While they are not automatically binding, they carry significant weight if certain conditions are met.

To ensure the enforceability of a prenuptial agreement, it must be entered into willingly, with both parties having received independent legal advice and provided full financial disclosure. The agreement should also be fair and reasonable at the time it is made, taking into consideration the future needs of both parties and any children involved. It is important to note that the courts retain the power to depart from the terms of a prenuptial agreement if they deem it unfair in the circumstances. Factors such as the length of the marriage, the welfare of any children, and significant changes in the parties’ financial situations may be considered when determining the enforceability of a prenup.

Prenuptial agreements offer couples a valuable tool for establishing financial arrangements and protecting their assets in case of a relationship breakdown. While not automatically binding in the U.K., a well-drafted and fair prenup, entered into with full disclosure and legal advice, can carry significant weight in court proceedings.

Dealing with allegations of child abuse in the Family Court

Posted on 24th August 2023 by McAlister Family Law

Dealing with allegations of child abuse in the Family Court

Here, McAlister Family Law Senior Associate, Melissa Jones, looks at a story making headlines; Titanic Actor, Ioan Gruffudd has made allegations against his children’s mother, Alice Evan, and has labelled her a “child abuser” in court documents issued in Los Angeles.

The allegations in the court documents state: “Alice has continued to inflict serious emotional harm on Ella and Elsie by her statements and by interfering in my relationship with them’ and ‘Alice has verbally abused and undermined me in front of the girls throughout their lives.’

In this case there is an allegation that the father is being alienated from his children as a direct result of the other parent’s influence over the children.

What is Parental Alienation?

There is no definition in family law but Cafcass have provided helpful guidance. Cafcass use it “to describe circumstances where there is an ongoing pattern of negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of one parent (or carer) that have the potential or expressed intent to undermine or obstruct the child’s relationship with the other parent. It is one of a number of reasons why a child may reject or resist spending time with one parent post-separation”.

Below are some examples of parental alienation, which covers a variety of behaviours in the child, such as:

fear, hostility, or disrespect towards the distant parent
the child constantly criticising the alienated parent, with no strong evidence or justifications for doing so
the child having overwhelmingly negative feelings towards the alienated parent – in the sense that these feelings are not ‘mixed’
the child having unwavering support of the alienator
the child using terms and phrases that seem to be borrowed from adult language
the child does not feel guilty about mistreating or hating the alienated parent

How does the Court deal with allegations of alienation?

This of course a case in USA, but we will take a look at what the court would do if such allegations were made in a court in England and Wales.

The law, as it stands, presumes that it is in the children’s best interests for each parent, even when they have separated, to continue to be involved in the lives of any and all of their children, unless such involvement may subject them to a risk of harm.

But is it child abuse?

The Chief Executive of CAFCASS describes parental alienation as “undoubtedly a form of neglect or child abuse”.

Allegations of parental alienation should be taken seriously. It is commonly recognised that exposing children to alienating behaviours can be emotionally harmful to them. The overriding view is that it is in the child’s best interests to have an ongoing relationship with both parents. At the heart of every decision made by the Family Court is what course of action is in the best interests of the child.

Another twist in the Gruffudd and Evans case is that their daughter, aged 13, filed a restraining order against her father. Mr Gruffudd has blamed this application on Ms Evans and has also claimed that she has prevented the children from attending counselling.

Ms Evan’s has denied the allegation and stated in court papers that Mr Gruffudd ‘has not seen, complied with, nor called the children for 11 weeks’.

Interestingly, Ms Evans stands opposed to her and the children being subject to such court proceedings if such evaluation is based on speculation and suspicions.

Clearly this looks set to be a heavily disputed set of proceedings in which both parties will need put their case to the court.

Sadly, as can often be the case with child arrangement disputes, the children can get be caught in the middle; in this case they might know a lot more about these proceedings because of their famous parents and the fact that this is playing out in public.

If you are experiencing any of the above, then it is important you instruct a lawyer who is a specialist in such matters. It could be the case that your child holds strong views of their own but may have been coached into believing other views. This would need careful exploration in the family court, and it is important that time is not lost in the process, so early advice is recommended.

Will Britney Spears be protected by prenup in third divorce?

Posted on 17th August 2023 by McAlister Family Law

I’m getting divorced, do I have to go to Court?

News of Britney Spears’ pending divorce from her third husband, Sam Asghari, has been widely reported in the press. Sadly, only a year after their wedding, their marriage appears to be over, with Sam filing for divorce in Los Angeles. Here, McAlister Family Law’s Divorce and Finance Partner, Fiona Wood, looks at the divorce application and questions if Britney’s prenup will protect her.

It is understood that Sam has asked the court to provide him with “spousal support”, which is maintenance from Britney to meet Sam’s income needs whilst they sort out their divorce, and for her to provide him with money to pay his legal fees.

These applications made by Sam to the US court are the equivalent of making an application for interim maintenance and for a Legal Services Payment Order in England. If one spouse cannot meet their reasonable income needs during the divorce and the other spouse can afford to fund these, a judge can order the wealthier spouse to pay interim maintenance to the other spouse until a financial settlement is reached in their divorce.

It is also possible in England to make an application to court that your spouse provide you with money to fund your ongoing legal fees – known as a Legal Services Payment Order. To make this application successfully you have to show that you cannot afford to fund your own legal fees, you cannot obtain a commercial loan from two lenders to fund your legal fees and that your spouse can afford to pay them.

It is reported that Britney and Sam signed a prenuptial agreement before their wedding, to protect the wealth that Britney accumulated before they married. Under Californian Law the prenuptial agreement is thought to be “ironclad”. However, there is speculation that Sam will try to renegotiate the terms of the prenuptial agreement by threatening to release embarrassing information about Britney.

The law in England regarding prenuptial agreements is different to that in other countries, but they are still an important way of protecting assets if you divorce. Here a prenuptial agreement is not automatically binding if a couple divorce. It is an important factor that the court will take into account when consider a fair financial settlement. The reported cases show that as long as both spouse’s needs can be met, the divorce court is likely to uphold the terms of their prenuptial agreement or if it does not fully uphold it, the presence of the prenuptial agreement will reduce the settlement received by one spouse from what they would have received if no prenuptial agreement had been signed.

I’m getting divorced, do I have to go to Court?

Posted on 3rd August 2023 by McAlister Family Law

I’m getting divorced, do I have to go to Court?

Separating from your spouse and getting divorced can be a very difficult and stressful experience for many reasons. You will probably have many questions. Here, Weronika Husejko takes a closer look at one of our most frequently asked questions by those about to go through the divorce process – do I have to go to Court?

In terms of the divorce itself, it is very rare that you will have to attend Court. The new ‘no fault’ divorce procedure does not allow for your spouse to dispute the divorce generally, unless they do not agree that the Court has jurisdiction or that the marriage was valid. This was not the case previously.

Prior to the no fault divorce procedure, the spouse applying for the divorce could apply for a Costs Order against the other spouse, effectively asking the Court that an Order is made that they pay all of their divorce costs. This was another reason for dispute in the past. However, the Court will now only make Costs Orders in divorce proceedings in very rare circumstances. As a result, there are now fewer opportunities for dispute in divorce proceedings, which significantly reduces the chance of any Court attendance.

When you are going through a divorce, the financial element is usually dealt with separately. Many couples are able to negotiate and reach a financial settlement outside of the Court arena e.g. via solicitors, mediation or between themselves. This would usually mean that you do not have to attend Court, unless you are already in Court proceedings at the time that you reach the agreement. When a financial settlement is reached in this way, a Consent Order reflecting your agreement can be submitted to the Court alongside a form which summarises your respective financial positions. The Court will usually consider this type of application on paper in the couple’s absence. They may request that the couple attend Court in rare circumstances, for example, if they have serious concerns regarding the proposed division of the assets.

If one spouse makes an application to the Court for a financial remedy order, (this is an application asking the court to deal with the financial aspects of their divorce), this may result in both spouses having to attend Court. This is the most common reason for Court attendance generally within a divorce. This is because when financial remedy Court proceedings are issued, the case will automatically be listed for a ‘First Appointment’. This is an administrative hearing. However, more frequently these days, the need for this type of hearing is circumvented by the spouses agreeing the ‘directions’ which are needed to move the case forward e.g. the instruction of a surveyor to value a property.

The second hearing is the ‘Financial Dispute Resolution Appointment’. This is a negotiation hearing whereby both spouses will usually attend Court with their legal representatives. If the spouses do not reach an agreement at this hearing, the case will be listed for a ‘Final Hearing’, whereby they will have to attend Court to give evidence. However, this is less common as most cases settle at the negotiation hearing.

The short answer is that you do not necessarily have to attend Court in order to get a divorce. Whilst it is not always possible to avoid Court proceedings, divorcing couples are generally encouraged to try to reach an agreement outside of the Court arena. The best outcome in a divorce is arguably a financial settlement which the couple have agreed, as opposed to a decision which has been imposed upon them by a Judge.

A Child’s Gender Identity – Who Decides?

Posted on 28th July 202328th July 2023 by McAlister Family Law

A Child’s Gender Identity – Who Decides?

NHS statistics indicate that referrals for children wishing to change genders have rocketed in the past 5 years, initiating worldwide debate as to how to respond to this in a societal and legislative sense. Here, Eleanor Drury looks at how parents, schools, and the government approach the gender identity of children and the implications teachers face without the government’s promised guidance.

A child’s gender identity, who decides? A proposed bill in California, Assembly Bill 957, also known as the Transgender, Gender-Diverse and Intersex Youth Empowerment Act, would seek to brand parents as abusive if they refuse to affirm their transgender child’s identity and let children’s social services intervene in instances of the same.

The act stresses that it is part of a child’s health, safety and welfare for parents to support their child’s self-proclaimed gender identity and allows the courts to consider parental responses to these sorts of issues when determining custody disputes, further encouraging the judiciary to strongly consider that affirming a child’s gender identity should fall within the realms of best interest decision making.

Here in the UK, legislators have taken a contrasting approach, with Suella Braverman MP stating that schools have no legal obligations which require them to address children by their preferred pronouns or names, nor accommodate them in opposite sex toilets or sports teams. In addition, the UK government are rumoured to be introducing new guidance which instructs teachers not to use a new name or pronoun, as requested by the student, without obtaining parental consent first.

Of course, the government must consider the implications this may have on children, with some educators accusing the government of creating an ‘atmosphere of fear’ whereby transgender children cannot access support from their teachers, along with potentially opening the floodgates for breaches of confidentiality claims. In addition, guidance such as this creates a particularly tricky environment to navigate given that it is common across schools nationwide for teachers to allow, and join in with, children being referred to by a name different to that which they were registered at birth with, such as a nickname. Schools will be no doubt be keen to ensure that they do not fall risk to direct discrimination complaints.

In modern society, the issue of children and gender identity is likely to continue to hit the headlines as reports of transgender and gender-fluid children soar. Government guidance is desperately needed in order to provide clarification in this controversial area and allow schools some relief from being caught in the crossfire of opposing views and beliefs. Last month, teachers at a school in Sussex were subject to controversy following the publishing of a secret recording in which teenage pupils were debating whether a person could identify as a cat, with one student brandishing this as ‘crazy’, only to be told by the teacher that these views were ‘despicable’, adding that if they didn’t like this, they need to find a different school. It appears that teachers are understandably fearful of what they say, and the consequences of the same, and therefore struggle to respond to students in a sensible and honest way. Without clear boundaries in this area, it can be argued that debates such as this only delegitimise and stigmatise young transgender people. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) state that this underlines the need for the government to publish its promised guidance on children and gender identity, which the ASCL sought over 5 years ago.

Whilst it is extremely unlikely that any future guidance published in the UK will be so inclusive as to include children who wish to identify as animals, It will certainly be interesting to see if clarification will finally be provided for educators, and whether UK legislators are influenced by the differing proposals of the US in respect of gender dysphoria. Could it be that UK children’s social care may be forced to intervene in instances of disagreement between parent/guardian, and child?

Am I entitled to continue the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed if I divorce?

Posted on 13th July 2023 by McAlister Family Law

Am I entitled to continue the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed if I divorce?

The end of a marriage often leads to a lot of financial worry for those involved. One factor that many are concerned about is will they be able to continue to afford the lifestyle that they had with their spouse during the marriage. Here, McAlister Family Law Partner, Fiona Wood, looks at what the judges will consider when dealing with the financial aspects of a divorce.

When a financial settlement is made in divorce proceedings the judge will have to look at dividing the capital assets and pension assets in a way that meets both spouse’s capital needs (this is usually housing needs, paying debts and funding retirement – if there are reasonable pension provisions). Once the Judge decides what capital and pension assets the spouses will have, they can then consider if one spouse needs spousal maintenance from the other, or a capital sum in lieu of spousal maintenance, to assist them to meet their needs.

A judge has to consider the lifestyle that the couple enjoyed during their marriage, when considering what a fair settlement is. However, if the couple’s assets and incomes are modest, inevitably both their lifestyles will be negatively impacted by them divorcing. The greater the couple’s assets and income the more likely they will receive a financial settlement that allows them to continue the lifestyle that they had during the marriage.

When dealing with the financial aspects of divorce it is usual for both spouses to state how much they need to buy a house, if they are not saying that they want to stay living in the family home. Where there is less capital, both of the couple may have to downsize as part of their divorce settlement. If there are more assets one may be able to keep the family home and the other purchase another property of a similar value. The value of a house that is suitable for each spouse depends upon the couple’s assets and can be a point of dispute between the couple.

Divorcing spouses also need to state their income needs. Not only does this include essential expenditure such as mortgage payments, food and utility bills, it can also include less essential expenditure such as holidays, entertainment, gardeners etc. Those with significant wealth have huge schedules of income needs, including staff, private jets and the funding of several properties. If the couple cannot agree their settlement and a judge has to adjudicate on the issue, it is likely that they will be asked about their stated income needs and to justify them. To justify them they need to show that this is the level that you and your spouse spent at during the marriage. It is the lifestyle that you had.

Judges are critical of those spouses whose income needs are more of a wish list than a reflection of the lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage. For example if you and your spouse only had one holiday a year in Europe, if you are now saying that you need sufficient money from your spouse to fund several holidays a year, including long haul destinations, a judge is unlikely to say that this is reasonable.

You are not automatically entitled to continue the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed if you divorce, but the lifestyle that you enjoyed as a couple is relevant, and if there is sufficient capital and income it is likely to be maintained,

If you are worried about your financial future if you divorce, you should take advice from an expert family lawyer.

Forced Marriage Protection Orders, what are they and who can apply for one?

Posted on 28th June 202328th June 2023 by McAlister Family Law

Forced Marriage Protection Orders, what are they and who can apply for one?

A marriage should always be someone’s choice, but sometimes people are forced into marriage. In his latest blog for McAlister Family Law, Sereyvudd Pheanouk looks at Forced Marriage Protection Orders and explains who can apply for one.

What is a Forced Marriage?

A forced marriage is where one or both parties do not, or cannot, consent to the marriage.

Forced marriages can occur with anyone from all backgrounds, nationalities, males and females, and does not just happen to young people, but adults as well. Forced marriages are not to be confused with arranged marriages, in which both parties have a say and agree to the union.

Forced Marriage Protection Orders

The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 provides the Court the ability to grant Force Marriage Protection Orders (FMPO) to protect the victim from coming into any further harm, in relation to the forced marriage.

An FMPO acts as a deterrent for perpetrators to approach the victim, similar to a non-molestation order or injunction. The purpose of the FMPO is to protect the victim from being forced to marry; however, it can also restrict the perpetrator from doing certain acts such as taking the victim out of the country, making marriage arrangements, contacting the victim directly/indirectly, and it can protect the victim from violence.

Powers of arrest can be attached to the order and if breached, the perpetrator could face imprisonment under contempt of Court.

Who can apply for a FMPO?

You can apply for an FMPO if you are:

Being forced into a marriage; or
Already in a forced marriage

A relevant third party of any victim with permission from the Court can make an application for a FMPO on their behalf.

Local Authorities can also apply for a FMPO on behalf of the victim if they consider the victim to be vulnerable or under 18.

An FMPO can be made without notice; however, this is on a case by case basis. This means that the respondent will not be notified that an application for an FMPO has been made. The respondent will receive notice once an order has been granted.

There is no court fee for making an application and legal aid is available for applications subject to a means test.

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in this blog post, we can provide you with advice and assist you in applying for an FMPO. For more information, please get in touch with our specialist team at hello@mcalisterfamilylaw.co.uk

Should we open a joint account?

Posted on 22nd June 2023 by McAlister Family Law

Should we open a joint account?

There are lots of decisions to make during a relationship and perhaps even more so when parties begin cohabiting. One of the questions which sometimes comes up is whether or not you should have a joint bank account with your partner? Here, Lisa Brown looks at what a joint account means from the perspective of couples, the bank, and family law.

This is obviously a personal decision and can vary between couples. It can be helpful from a practical point of view if you have a lot of joint expenditure, but it would be sensible to agree some ground rules about usage and how much each party is expected to contribute from the outset.

From the bank’s perspective, for example, if one party were to run up a large overdraft on a joint account, they would still generally consider that to a joint liability. Similarly, from a family law point of view if a cohabiting couple are separating the starting point would be that assets are divided as they are held legally so any savings in a joint account should be shared equally, and any joint borrowing should be borne equally.

To have some clarity between you, it might be sensible to have a cohabitation agreement which can deal with how any assets would be divided on separation (including any joint accounts) and also, if you wish, how outgoings will be met during the relationship.

These agreements are not currently 100% binding, but they are very useful and are becoming more and more popular.

What about if you are married?

Lots of married couples have joint accounts but it is not a pre-requisite, and some choose not to.

Back in February Chloe Madeley hit the headlines when she revealed that she went back to work 8 weeks after giving birth citing the fact that she doesn’t have a joint account with her husband, James Haskell (and presumably that in effect they both financially support themselves).

Whilst obviously it is for every individual couple to decide on their own financial arrangements during their relationship this statement does give the impression that simply because there is no joint account there is no financial links or accountability between Chloe and James.

This is not the case for married couples or those in civil partnerships. The legal starting point is quite different to couples who simply live together. When you enter into a marriage or civil partnership you immediately gain the ability to make a wide range of financial claims against your partner (and likewise they have those claims against you).

If your marriage or civil partnership were to come to an end and you cannot agree how assets should be divided, then the court has the power to divide them between you in line with the factors set out in Section 25 Matrimonial Causes Act. These factors include (amongst other things) the assets and income of each party, length of the relationship and the contributions you have each made.

The court is not bound to consider monies in a joint account joint nor monies in one person’s sole name as money to be retained solely by them.

There can, however, be circumstances where it is relevant where monies have been held. For example, if one party had received an inheritance the court may be more minded to exclude that from any settlement if it had always been kept separate in a sole account.

If you or somebody you know wants to understand their legal position better whether they are cohabiting, thinking about cohabiting, engaged or married they should contact one of our specialist family lawyers today.

If you need advice on this topic, or any other matters concerning forced marriage, please get in touch with our team at hello@mcalisterfamilylaw.co.uk

The long-awaited change in safeguarding children from Forced Marriage

Posted on 15th June 202315th June 2023 by McAlister Family Law

The long awaited change in safeguarding children from Forced Marriage

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used to force them into the marriage. Here, Chelsea Taylor discusses the new legislation which protects children, where one or both parties are under 18 years of age, from being forced into unwanted marriages.

To many, child marriage is a violation of human rights as children cannot express their full and free consent. It is a global problem that needs tackling urgently as it can have harmful consequences on children such as slavery, domestic abuse and discrimination.

The introduction of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 which came into effect on 27^th February 2023 raises the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales. The new legislation also covers non-legally binding ceremonies including where the child marriage is planned to take place outside of England and Wales.

Previously, children who were 16 and 17 could marry with parental consent which was a major legal loophole in UK law. This left many children’s right to marry exploited.

The law also now makes it a criminal offence to cause or arrange a child to marry before they turn 18 under any circumstances, with a sentence of up to 7 years imprisonment.

Whilst positive, the changes highlighted above only apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland, still allow children to marry at the age 16. The latter requiring parental consent.

The Office of National Statistics data shows that between 2007 and 2017, there were 3096 marriages registered in England and Wales involving children aged 16 and 17. It is worth highlighting that this troubling data does not even capture those marriages not registered and children taken out of the UK and forced into marriage abroad, so the figure may be considerably higher.

This new law should be praised for being a major step forward in protecting and safeguarding the rights of children in England and Wales. Let’s hope this will have a rippling effect across the world including our neighbouring countries. If others follow suit hopefully this will deal with the scourge of forced marriages.

If you need advice on this topic, or any other matters concerning forced marriage, please get in touch with our team at McAlister Family Law.