“The arrangement is more prevalent among younger generations with expectations of equal parenting, says Sarah Williams, partner in family law at London’s Payne Hick Beach. “They’ve both bought the house together, they both work and both raise children. Especially if they’ve been at home during Covid, they’re attuned to the children’s schoolwork and needs. Parents are more attuned to support their children.
Williams suggests taking legal advice at the outset so parents do not prejudice their legal position when matters are decided later on. This can be an issue where historically the children have spent significantly less time with one parent and the nesting arrangement is seen as a time to change this. Williams also advises protecting privacy on digital devices. “And being alive to the presence of any covert recording devices in either the family home or secondary accommodation.” Internal CCTV — ostensibly for security — can be used as a means of monitoring the activities of the other parent.
Click here to read the full article, first published in the Financial Times online on 18 July 2024: Is ‘birdnesting’ the answer for divorcing parents? (ft.com)
Sarah is a highly experienced and respected children and modern family lawyer with extensive experience in all children related litigation and fertility, surrogacy, adoption and issues concerning gender. Sarah is part of the firm’s top ranked Family department that focuses on providing specialist advice on all areas of family law, including issues arising from divorce and separation, cohabitation, civil partnerships and same sex marriage, financial consequences of a relationship breakdown, inheritance claims and pre and post-nuptial agreements. The team works for a variety of high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including those with a complex international angle and is adept at handling all cases with the utmost discretion whilst delivering the best outcome for their clients. Clients highly value the team’s exceptional level of service, astute financial acumen and unparalleled levels of support and is recognised across the industry as one of the best family teams in the UK, having won ‘Family Law Team of the Year’ at the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2024.
For further information, please contact Sarah Williams, Partner in the Family Department and specialist children and modern family lawyer or, alternatively, telephone on 020 7465 4300
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