1. The Landscape
What happens first, who you’ll meet, and how court really works.
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Understanding the UK Family Law System – Overview of England & Wales family courts and how cases progress.
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Starting Separation or Divorce – The initial steps, key decisions, and first filings.
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Mediation & MIAMs Explained – When mediation is required, and how it fits into the process.
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Family Court Demystified – What actually happens in a courtroom (and what doesn’t).
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Children & Financial Cases – Separate but Linked – How the two processes run side by side.
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Who’s Who in the Process – Roles of judges, magistrates, Cafcass, mediators, and clerks.
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Timelines & Delays – How long things take and what slows cases down.
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Hearings & Paperwork – What to expect at each stage and how to prepare.
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Common Early Mistakes – Missteps that cost time, money, or credibility.
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Getting Mentally Ready for the Journey – How to stay calm and organised from the start.
2. Legal Basics
Jargon-free explanations of the key documents, terms, and roles.
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Divorce, Dissolution & Separation – What’s What – Legal differences and implications.
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Conditional & Final Orders – What they mean and why they matter.
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Financial Remedy & Consent Orders – The purpose, timing, and process.
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Forms You’ll Encounter (C100, Form E, etc.) – What they are and what’s inside.
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The “Best Interests of the Child” Principle – The cornerstone of family law.
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Disclosure & Evidence – Why full honesty is critical.
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Legal Roles Explained – Solicitor, barrister, mediator, Cafcass officer.
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How to Read Court Directions – Understanding and acting on orders.
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Language of Family Law – Simplifying terms like “respondent,” “without prejudice,” etc.
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Organising Your Own Case File – Templates and systems to keep documents court-ready.
3. Parenting & Children
How arrangements are decided, Cafcass’ role, and the welfare principle.
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How the Court Decides Child Arrangements – The welfare checklist in plain English.
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Parental Responsibility Explained – Who has it, and how it affects decisions.
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Common Parenting Schedules – What typically works for different ages.
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Cafcass’ Role & Process – What they do, what they report, and how to prepare.
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Children’s Voices – How children’s wishes are heard and considered.
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When Parents Can’t Agree – Mediation, negotiation, and last resorts.
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Safeguarding & Risk Assessments – What triggers them and what they involve.
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Relocation, Holidays & Schooling – When disputes arise and how courts decide.
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Effective Co-Parent Communication – Managing tone, tools, and boundaries.
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Creating a Parenting Plan – Templates and principles the court recognises.
4. Money & Assets
The essentials of property, pensions, maintenance, and disclosure.
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Understanding the Financial “Pot” – Marital vs. non-marital assets.
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The Court’s Five Key Factors – Income, housing, pensions, debts, and needs.
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Financial Disclosure (Form E) – How to prepare it properly.
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Property Division Options – Sale, transfer, or offset.
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Valuing & Splitting Pensions – Why pensions matter more than people think.
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Dealing With Debts – How courts view joint and individual debt.
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Interim Financial Arrangements – Managing money before final orders.
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Tax & Future Planning – Hidden costs and long-term financial thinking.
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Avoiding Common Financial Mistakes – Missteps that lead to extra costs or delays.
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When to Involve Financial Experts – When an accountant or actuary is worth it.
5. Working With Lawyers
How to prepare, what to ask, and how to make every paid hour count.
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Choosing the Right Solicitor – What to look for and questions to ask.
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Preparing for Your First Meeting – Documents and details to bring.
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Explaining Your Story Efficiently – How to summarise clearly and save time.
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Understanding Billing – Hourly rates, retainers, and fixed-fee options.
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How to Manage Communication – When to email, call, or schedule meetings.
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Keeping Meetings Focused – Sticking to what matters most.
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When to Ask for a Barrister – What they add and how to brief them.
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Red Flags & Resetting Expectations – When your legal team isn’t right.
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How to Stay in Control – Remembering you’re the client, not the passenger.
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Using Lawyers Efficiently – Letting them add additional value, not repeat the basics.
6. Abuse & Safeguarding
A clear stance on abuse, how the courts approach it, and where survivors can find help.
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Our Zero-Tolerance Position – Abuse is never acceptable.
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What Counts as Abuse – Physical, emotional, financial, coercive control.
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Rising Reports & Why They Matter – Trends in UK family law.
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How Allegations Are Investigated – Fact-finding hearings and evidence.
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Protective Court Orders – Non-molestation and occupation orders explained.
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Cafcass & Safeguarding Officers – How they assess and advise.
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Impact on Child Arrangements – How findings affect contact and custody.
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False Allegations – How courts test and weigh evidence.
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Help for Survivors – Confidential charities, helplines, and legal protections.
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Accountability & Consequences – Why honesty and respect are non-negotiable.
7. Child Maintenance
Understanding the financial support system for children in England & Wales.
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What Child Maintenance Is (and Isn’t) – Legal purpose and limitations.
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How the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Works – Calculation basics and online tools.
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When to Use CMS vs. Private Agreements – Pros, cons, and enforcement differences.
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How Income Is Assessed – What counts as earnings and what doesn’t.
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Shared-Care Adjustments – How overnight care affects payments.
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Changes in Circumstances – When and how to update assessments.
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Enforcement Powers of CMS – What happens if payments aren’t made.
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Maintenance for Older Children – How support continues through education.
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When the Court Steps In – Exceptional cases requiring judicial orders.
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Practical Tips for Smooth Arrangements – Communicating, documenting, and planning around maintenance.
8. Preparing for Being in Court
Demystifying the courtroom experience and helping you present calmly, clearly, and respectfully.
Estimated Duration: 70 mins
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Why Court Looks the Way It Does – Brief history: from King’s justice to modern family courts.
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The Role of the Judge (and How to Address Them) – Understanding authority, etiquette, and forms of address.
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The Oath and Truth in Court – What it means to give evidence and why honesty is central.
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Court Layout Explained – Who sits where, where you stand, how hearings are structured.
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Virtual Hearings & Online Court – How remote hearings work and how to prepare tech-wise.
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What to Bring and How to Dress – Practical preparation for the day.
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How to Speak and Be Heard – Communicating clearly, avoiding interruption, and staying respectful.
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Recordings, Confidentiality & Contempt – What you can and can’t record or share.
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Handling Nerves & Staying Grounded – Managing anxiety before and during hearings.
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After the Hearing – Understanding outcomes, next steps, and follow-up paperwork.
✅ Slightly longer module (70 mins) to allow time for etiquette and emotional prep.
9. Parenting After Separation
Moving forward as co-parents with stability, communication, and respect.
Estimated Duration: 60–70 mins
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Understanding Your New Role – Shifting from partners to co-parents.
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Children’s Adjustment – What kids need most during and after separation.
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Consistent Routines Across Homes – Creating stability between households.
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Communication Tools for Co-Parents – Email, apps, tone, and boundaries.
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Conflict vs. Cooperation – Recognising triggers and defusing tension.
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Parenting Plans in Practice – How to live by them, not just write them.
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Supporting Children’s Emotional Health – Signs of stress and when to seek help.
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Introducing New Partners – Timing, boundaries, and sensitivity.
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Special Occasions & Holidays – Planning ahead to reduce conflict.
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Continual Co-Parenting Review – Keeping arrangements flexible as children grow.
✅ This module connects perfectly to the earlier “Parenting & Children” section — it’s the “life after court” part.