What Is The Welfare Checklist?
If you are contemplating divorce or separation from your partner, your first concern will probably be about where your children will live and how they...
Legal aid is the provision of assistance in the form of financial support, designed for those who are unable to afford legal costs. Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
Can I Get Legal Aid?
In April 2013, significant changes were made to the eligibility criteria for legal aid, taking the vast majority of family cases out of scope.
Legal aid is, however, still available when there is evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse, provided that you are also financially eligible. It is accepted that emotional and financial abuse are recognised as domestic abuse and victims of such abuse can be eligible for legal aid.
Legal Aid And Your Earnings
The rules and procedure for assessing financial eligibility for legal aid are quite complex and we would refer you to the Legal Aid Agency’s website where guidance can be found on financial eligibility. Essentially, income is assessed on the basis of the total income from all sources and the total income is then reduced by deducting allowable expenses against the gross income. The allowable deductions include housing costs, a fixed allowance for dependents and children, any tax and National Insurance deductions from gross earnings, childcare costs incurred because of working or studying and any maintenance paid for children who do not live with the applicant.
Useful Initiatives
Are you arranging safe, child-centric contact?
The only charity in the UK dedicated to child contact, by providing safe spaces where children can meet the parents they don’t live with.
Have you made the parents promise?
The #ParentsPromise helps parents make a positive commitment to their children today, in case of a relationship breakdown tomorrow.
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External Resources
Support Through Court
National charity helping people through court, especially those without legal representation.
Citizens Advice
Advice on finding free or affordable legal help.
Legal Aid Eligibility
Guidance from the Legal Aid Agency on whether you can apply for Legal Aid.
National Family Mediation
Information on Legal Aid and family mediation.
