Finances

Family relationships often include money and/or property issues which come to a head when relationships break down. The law has struggled with the best way to decide what is fair in such disputes, particularly for couples with unusual situations such as military families. Current policy issues which are under consideration include:

• should pre-nuptial agreements be strictly binding?
• is mediation the best way to resolve family property disputes?
• should cohabitants have the same or similar rights as married couples to financial provision when relationships break down?
• can child support be left to agreement between parents?
• should the law promote autonomy or protect financially vulnerable family members?