Family Law

03Mar2016

Legal wedding checklist when preparing for marriage

Marriage is a legal matter.  An important part of marital planning is to ensure that the implications of marriage on your legal status are well considered with ample time before the wedding.  Planning takes time.  Time will be short as the big day approaches. Consider…Read More

12Feb2016

Marrying rich? Better safe than sorry.

Ranking 3rd in Forbes’s “Cities With The Most Billionaires In 2015”, it is common for married couples in Hong Kong to live lavishly through the generosity of family members but with no absolute entitlement to wealth. This begs the million dollar question, for spouses who…Read More

14Jan2016

Validity and need for registration of foreign marriage in Hong Kong

When people speak of a white wedding, they used to mean the colour of the bride’s dress.  Now they are just as likely to be talking about the colour of the sand on the exotic beach where the ceremony was held. A survey has claimed…Read More

01Dec2015

Supporting Pathfinders in 1940s style

Tanner De Witt was pleased to support the Pathfinders Annual Ball held at Ed1tus in Wong Chuk Hang on Saturday 21st November. Partners and heads of our family practice Mark Side and Joanne Brown attended to show support for this charity fundraiser which raised a…Read More

20Nov2015

Legal update: Long-awaited Children’s Bill coming soon to Hong Kong

The law in Hong Kong that protects children experiencing divorce and other family issues has been discussed and debated for years. Improvements have been made but no concrete Children’s Bill has been passed. Following the well-attended Third Children’s Forum held recently by CIF HK at…Read More

11Nov2015

Global Conference on the Recovery of Child Support and Family Maintenance in Asia Pacific

Tanner De Witt is pleased to announce our family practice lawyer, Joanne Brown, will be participating in the Global Conference on the Recovery of Child Support and Family Maintenance in Asia Pacific this week. They will also be attending the Third Children’s Issues Forum at…Read More

26Oct2015

Financial non-disclosure in divorce proceedings: consent order risk.

On 14 October 2015, the UK Supreme Court handed down two landmark decisions, Gohil and Sharland, overturning two wives’ financial settlement consent orders made in divorce proceedings due to their husbands’ deliberate non-disclosure of assets. The decisions serve as warnings to any divorcing spouse who…Read More

08Oct2015

Jurisdiction of divorce; what is the situation in Hong Kong?

Can I divorce in Hong Kong?  If not, why not? It is not true that just because a couple was married in Hong Kong, they could or should divorce here; where the marriage took place is irrelevant.  The circumstances immediately before the divorce are key….Read More

02Oct2015

Legal update: Is your will your will?

Summary In a significant ruling, the UK Court of Appeal’s decision in Ilott v Mitson 2015 has ruled against the presumption that you can do with your estate what you wish. This decision has seemingly broadened the Court’s power to intervene where an adult child…Read More

23Sep2015

Child abduction in Hong Kong: Is it ever okay?

Married parents who are contemplating a divorce often ask lawyers whether they can take their children abroad for a holiday against the will of the other parents.  The answer is no. In Hong Kong married parents have joint custody of their children.  Both parents make…Read More

04Aug2015

Child custody evaluation in Hong Kong – what you need to know

When tackling the challenge of divorce it is important to consider all aspects of the situation as early as possible. At Tanner De Witt we work with a range of trusted third parties in Hong Kong and caught up with Dr Kristie Craigen of The…Read More

19Jun2015

Residence as a dependant in Hong Kong during and after divorce FAQs

In our matrimonial work with families of international backgrounds in Hong Kong, we are often asked to assist in matters of dependants visas for spouse and children. We generally advise clients to pay attention to the timing of matters especially in the context of a…Read More