family & Divorce

The recent introduction of the ‘no-fault’ divorce system means that it is no longer necessary to provide a reason for the breakdown of the marriage. If you would like to speak to someone about the process or need advice on dealing with financial or children matters arising from divorce or dissolution, then we can help.

We have wide experience in advising and assisting clients throughout all stages of financial applications and negotiations, including cases involving high net worth families or complex financial arrangements, family businesses and offshore investments. Where appropriate we engage the help of financial experts including accountants and pension experts.

A trained, impartial mediator can help a separating couple to identify and resolve any issues in a blanked and constructive way. Discussions can deal with financial matters, including property issues, day to day finances and pensions, as well as arrangements for children. We have a Resolution trained mediator who can help you and your partner make decisions and reach lasting agreements for the future benefit of you and your family.

We understand the importance of protecting and prioritising your children’s best interests in a divorce or separation. We can advise and assist you on a variety of children matters including living arrangements, whether a parent should be permitted to relocate with the children (in the UK or abroad) and on other important issues, including those concerning education or health.

“Pre and Post nups” are becoming increasingly popular and it is essential that anyone considering entering into such an agreement, should obtain specialist legal advice before doing so. We have expertise in drafting agreements and in advising on and negotiating their content and in advising on their likely effect in the event of a future marriage breakdown.

Increasingly couples are choosing to live together rather than to marry, but many do so without fully understanding the legal consequences of this decision. We can advise you in relation to an agreement setting out arrangements for any property and other financial issues, which can help to clarify the position.

Despite the important role that Grandparents often play in the lives of their grandchildren, they do not have an automatic right to spend time with them. If you have been refused access to your grandchildren and would like to know what options are available to you, including a court application, we can help.

If you are suffering from domestic abuse or violence and would like to speak to someone in a safe, protected environment about the legal options available to you to protect you or your children, then please get in touch.

We will always consider whether it is possible to resolve matters through negotiation or other alternative methods of resolution such as collaborative law or mediation, before resorting to court proceedings. However, when appropriate, we will not hesitate to take a robust approach in order to protect our clients.

In the collaborative law process, each person is supported by their own collaboratively trained lawyer and we commit to resolving matters without going to court, instead, discussing all matters in a series of meetings, with the aim of resolving all issues whilst protecting relationships from further damage.

A family arbitrator is essentially a private judge and is appointed by a couple to reach a binding decision on financial and property issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship or on arrangements for children. We can advise on this as an option.