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Ria Cohen Family Law For all your family law needs.An affordable, alternative, practical legal service 40 years experience Professional, friendly advice and support.

Specialist in divorce and children issues at an affordable price.

12/10/2026

⚖️ Pre-Hearing Discussions – Why They Matter

A pre-hearing discussion can be an important opportunity for the parties to step back and consider the issues before going into court.

It can help identify what is agreed, narrow down what remains in dispute, explore possible solutions and, where appropriate, avoid unnecessary evidence and expense.

Good preparation before a hearing can make a real difference. Sometimes, a constructive conversation at the right time can resolve matters that might otherwise become much more complicated.

At Ria Cohen Family Law, I always encourage sensible and proportionate discussions where they can help move a case forward.

Never tolerate abuse of any kind. Call me if you are experiencing abuse and I can help (07791) 881697.
10/10/2026

Never tolerate abuse of any kind. Call me if you are experiencing abuse and I can help (07791) 881697.

05/10/2026

💔 When a Child Starts to Doubt the Parent They Once Felt Safe With…

Sometimes, the most damaging effects of high-conflict separation aren’t obvious.

A child may gradually become uncertain about a parent they previously trusted — not necessarily because of anything that parent has done, but because of the messages, emotions and behaviours they are exposed to.

Here are 5 ways a parent’s behaviour can undermine a child’s confidence in the other parent:

1️⃣ Rewriting the past
A child may repeatedly hear a version of past events that conflicts with their own memories or experiences.

2️⃣ Creating feelings of guilt
Statements or behaviour that make a child feel guilty for enjoying time with the other parent can create a powerful sense of divided loyalty.

3️⃣ Portraying themselves as the victim
A child may repeatedly hear that the other parent has caused their parent’s unhappiness, encouraging them to feel responsible for protecting them.

4️⃣ Undermining the other parent
Negative comments about the other parent’s personality, parenting, relationships or lifestyle can gradually affect how a child sees them.

5️⃣ Encouraging secrecy or taking sides
A child may feel that they cannot freely talk about their time with one parent, or that showing affection towards one parent means betraying the other.

💭 And this is where things can become particularly complicated.

A child who expresses strong views about one parent is not necessarily being manipulated.

Their views may arise from their own experiences, genuine concerns, conflict within the family or safeguarding issues.

Equally, children can be significantly influenced by the attitudes and behaviours of the adults around them.

⚖️ Understanding what is really happening requires careful consideration of the evidence and the individual circumstances of the family.

What do you think?

Have you seen situations where a child appears to feel that loving one parent means being disloyal to the other?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and child-focused.

Legal disclaimer: This post is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice on your individual circumstances. Every family is different, and allegations of manipulation, coercive or controlling behaviour, or parental alienation should be considered carefully and on the evidence available.

02/10/2026

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

Domestic abuse is not always physical. It can be emotional, psychological, financial, coercive, controlling, or involve threats and intimidation.

Many victims suffer in silence, unsure whether what they are experiencing is abuse or fearful of speaking out.

This month is about raising awareness, challenging misconceptions, and reminding those affected that support is available.

No one should have to live in fear.

28/09/2026

⚖️ SPECIFIC ISSUE ORDERS — WHO GETS TO DECIDE?

What happens when separated parents simply cannot agree about an important decision affecting their child?

A parent may want the child to:
📚 Attend a particular school
✈️ Go on a holiday abroad
🏠 Move to a different area
🩺 Have a particular medical treatment
🙏 Follow a particular religious upbringing

When parents with parental responsibility cannot reach agreement, the Family Court can, in appropriate circumstances, make a Specific Issue Order under the Children Act 1989.

But here’s the important point…

👉 A Specific Issue Order is about a particular question concerning a child. It isn’t a general order giving one parent control over every decision.

💬 What do you think?

Should parents be expected to reach agreement on major decisions wherever possible — or is going to court sometimes the only realistic option when communication has completely broken down?

And if you’re a separated parent, what’s the one decision you think parents most commonly disagree about?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments. You never know who your experience might help.

21/09/2026

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY do you really know what it means?

It’s one of those phrases you hear a lot in family law, but what does “parental responsibility” actually mean?

In simple terms, it’s the legal rights and responsibilities involved in making important decisions about a child’s life — things like their education, medical treatment, name and where they live.

But here’s where things can get complicated…

👉 Having parental responsibility does NOT necessarily mean you have an automatic right to decide where your child lives or how much time you spend with them.

👉 And not having parental responsibility does NOT necessarily mean you have no role in your child’s life.

So here’s our question for you:

💬 Do you think both parents should automatically have parental responsibility when a child is born — or should there be circumstances where one parent doesn’t have it?

There’s no need to share personal details — we’d love to hear your views.

What do you think? 👇

This post is for general information and isn’t intended to provide legal advice. Every family’s circumstances are different.

14/09/2026

⚠️ Post-Separation Abuse: When the Relationship Ends, But the Control Doesn’t

Many people believe that abuse ends when a relationship ends. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Post-separation abuse can take many forms, including:
• Repeated court applications designed to cause stress and financial pressure
• Excessive messages, emails or phone calls
• Using child arrangements as a way to maintain control
• Making false allegations
• Refusing to cooperate over important decisions involving the children
• Monitoring or interfering with a former partner’s life

This type of behaviour can be just as damaging as abuse during the relationship and can leave victims feeling trapped long after separation.

If you are experiencing post-separation abuse, it is important to keep records, seek appropriate support, and obtain legal advice where necessary.

Ending a relationship should not mean enduring ongoing control or intimidation.

07/09/2026

Family Court Listing Changes – What You Need to Know

From 31 August 2026, new Family Court listing guidance comes into force across England and Wales.

One of the main changes is that courts should generally list no more than four FHDRAs (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments) per day.

This is a welcome change. Too often, people arrive at court and wait for hours, only for their case to feel rushed because there are too many hearings in the list.

FHDRAs are important. Safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse allegations and arrangements for children need proper time and consideration.

The new guidance also provides more clarity about whether hearings should be in person, remote or hybrid, including where someone has a disability or other genuine difficulty attending court.

This won’t solve the Family Court backlog overnight, but hopefully it will mean less rushed hearings and more time for judges to properly consider each family’s circumstances.

If you’re representing yourself, preparation is still key. A clear and focused position statement can make a real difference.

A small change, but hopefully a positive one.

03/09/2026

🐾 Ruby’s Law: Protecting Victims of Abuse and Their Pets 🐾

A campaign group has been formed to improve support for victims of domestic abuse and to protect the pets who are often caught up in the cycle of violence.

Ruby’s Law is due to receive its Second Reading in Parliament this October, and campaigners are hopeful that MPs will support this important piece of legislation.

When we think about domestic abuse, we often focus on the direct impact on victims and children. However, many people may be unaware that perpetrators frequently use pets as a means of control, coercion and intimidation.

Research has shown that in households where domestic abuse is present, animals are also frequently targeted. Abuse can take many forms, including:

🐾 Threatening to harm or kill a pet
🐾 Withholding food, medication or veterinary treatment
🐾 Taking a pet away from its owner
🐾 Using a pet to intimidate or control family members
🐾 Physically harming or killing an animal

For many victims, a beloved pet is a member of the family. The fear of leaving an animal behind can become a significant barrier to escaping abuse.

That is why Ruby’s Law is so important. While it seeks to improve animal welfare protections, it is also about much more than that. It is about family safety, domestic abuse awareness, and access to justice. It aims to remove the impossible choice that many victims face between protecting themselves and protecting their pet.

If passed, Ruby’s Law has the potential to make a meaningful difference to the lives of victims and their animals alike.

As the Bill returns to Parliament in October, many will be hoping that it receives the support needed to move forward.

🤞 Fingers crossed that Ruby’s Law gets the green light and helps create safer futures for both people and pets.

This post is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

31/08/2026

Back to School: Making Child Arrangements Work After the Summer Holidays

As the summer holidays come to an end, many separated parents face the challenge of returning to school-time routines. What worked during six weeks of holidays often needs adjusting once school starts again.

Now is a good time to think about practical arrangements and, most importantly, what is in your child’s best interests.

Some key areas to consider include:

* School drop-offs and collections.
* After-school clubs and activities.
* Homework routines.
* Communication between parents about school events.
* Parents’ evenings, sports days and school performances.
* Childcare arrangements during working hours.

Children often benefit from consistency and predictability. Having clear arrangements in place can help reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.

Where possible, try to discuss arrangements in advance rather than waiting until the first week of term. A shared calendar or parenting app can be a useful way to keep track of important dates and avoid misunderstandings.

It is also worth remembering that children’s needs change as they get older. An arrangement that worked last year may need to be reviewed to reflect a child’s age, school commitments and social activities.

If communication between parents is difficult, focus on the practical issues and keep discussions child-focused. The aim should always be to support the child’s education, wellbeing and routine.

A little planning now can make the transition back to school much smoother for both parents and children.

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