The Scottish Government has recently reported on the latest developments aimed at streamlining adoption in Scotland to cut down on the time children have to wait before finding a permanent home. Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald has announced that Scotland’s Adoption Register is now available online and that the ‘activity days’ where prospective…
Researchers in the US have recently looked at how concerns about parenting behaviour can affect the ability of divorced parents to co-parent. The study, from the University of Missouri, found that fathers and mothers have differing concerns about co-parenting, and these concerns can impact on their ability to jointly raise their children. The researchers believe…
New research from Bank of Scotland has revealed that Scottish parents are prepared to pay a premium of as much as £80,000 on average to live in the catchment area of a top performing state school. According to the research, the average cost of a house near one of Scotland’s Top 20 performing state schools…
A recent survey from the US has revealed a rise in the number of couples signing prenuptial agreements before getting married. The survey, which was conducted amongst members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), found that 51% of attorneys cited an increase in the number of millennials requesting prenuptial agreements. In addition, 62%…
A new survey by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks has found confidence is on an upward trend among the UK’s ‘second steppers’. The survey revealed that almost 40% of the country’s first-time homeowners are planning to take their second step on the property ladder, which is an increase of 14% compared to the same period last…
The upward trend in the number of ‘grey divorces’ appears to be continuing, according to a new survey from the United States. The survey of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer (AAML) members found that 64% of respondents reported an increase in divorce cases among couples more than 50-years of age. The top three items most…
A scheme to help protect people from the risk of domestic violence by allowing them to find out if a current partner has a history of violence has been in operation across Scotland for a year now. The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland came into force on 1st October last year, and gives…
The Scottish Government has laid legislation in Parliament that will remove the automatic council tax discount for second homes. The change, which is due to take effect from April next year, will give councils the option of offering no discount for second homes, arming them with another lever to encourage better use of housing stock…
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that 861 civil partnerships were formed in England and Wales in 2015, which is a fall of 49% from 1,683 in 2014. Civil partnership formations have apparently declined by 85% since 2013. According to the ONS, this is mainly due to the introduction…
The Scottish Government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to its named person service, but confirmed that it would not commence the related provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 on 31 August, pending changes to the Act following the UK Supreme Court judgment in July. An order is required to stop commencement…
