Coercive control and economic abuse
What is coercive control?
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour that seeks to dominate, isolate, or psychologically manipulate someone. It may not involve physical violence, but it can have devastating emotional and practical consequences.
Common examples include:
- Restricting contact with family or friends
- Monitoring phone, email, or social media activity
- Gaslighting: making you doubt your memory or version of events
- Constant criticism or undermining
- Threats, emotional outbursts, or controlling decision-making
Coercive control is a criminal offence in England and Wales. At Hamblin Family Law, we understand how to identify it, talk about it, and help you challenge it safely.
What is financial abuse?
Financial abuse occurs when one person seeks to control another’s ability to access or manage money and financial resources. It can happen gradually and may be difficult to recognise at first.
Examples of financial abuse include:
- Restricting access to joint accounts or credit cards
- Forbidding employment, study, or professional development
- Hiding assets or accumulating debts in your name
- Refusing to pay for essentials, including children’s needs
- Forcing you to account for every penny spent
Is your partner displaying narcissistic behaviour?
Many clients describe their partner as narcissistic, manipulative, or emotionally abusive, which makes separation and divorce more challenging.
We are highly experienced in helping clients deal with high-conflict, emotionally complex divorce. If you feel like you’re being undermined or emotionally manipulated, we’ll help you to take confident, informed steps to protect yourself.
You are not alone
At Hamblin Family Law, we not only provide legal expertise but also emotional insight and practical support. We work with a trusted network of divorce coaches, trauma-informed therapists, and financial advisers who understand the dynamics of coercive and controlling relationships.
Step-by-step guide to dissolving your civil partnership
Step 1: Eligibility check
You cannot dissolve your civil partnership for at least one year after you entered into the partnership. After a year, as with divorce, you can apply for dissolution on a no-fault basis.
Step 2: Apply to dissolve the civil partnership
A single partner or both partners jointly can apply to the courts to dissolve the civil partnership. This application details grounds for dissolution and jurisdictional specifications.
Step 3: Respond to the petition
The partner receiving the dissolution application will be required to formulate a response to agree or contest the dissolution within 14 days.
Step 4: Apply for a Conditional Order
Once you and your partner have reached an agreement, you can apply for a Conditional Order after a 20-week waiting period. This is a legal document that confirms the court has accepted your application for civil partnership dissolution. But this does not confirm that your partnership has been dissolved. You must wait six weeks and one day before applying for a Final Order. It is during these six weeks that access to legal advice and support is particularly important, especially if your partner chooses to challenge the dissolution.
Step 5: Apply for a Final Order
After six weeks and one day following your Conditional Order, you can apply for a Final Order to dissolve your civil partnership. The court will issue the Final Order, which confirms your civil partnership has legally ended.
Why work with Hamblin Family Law?
- Calm, experienced legal advice in emotionally complex situations
- Deep understanding of coercive and controlling behaviours
- Discreet handling of sensitive issues, including narcissistic or high-conflict spouses
- Access to specialist divorce coaches and therapists
- Clear legal strategy and financial planning
- Support with securing urgent protection orders, where appropriate
