Services | For Individuals

Family and Divorce

Private Client Family and Divorce Residential Property Employment Dispute Resolution

Family Law Legal Experts

Buss Murton is recognised as having one of the foremost teams of Family and Divorce lawyers in Kent and the South East, with offices in Tunbridge Wells and Cranbrook, covering all areas of divorce and family law.

We understand how stressful the breakdown of a relationship can be and we are dedicated to achieving the best outcome for our clients in the most painless and cost-effective way possible. Family law requires not just the highest level of technical expertise, but also a sensitive and pragmatic approach. Every separation or divorce is different, just as every family is different, and so a “one size fits all” solution is not appropriate. We ensure that our clients always receive bespoke advice and support.

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We are fortunate in being the only firm in Tunbridge Wells and one of only a small number of firms of lawyers nationwide, to have a Consultant Barrister in our family team. This means that our clients receive advice from a barrister at a much earlier stage than is normally possible, increasing the chances of a swift settlement, saving time and legal costs and minimising stress.

We work closely with other professionals, including accountants, IFAs, pension experts and counsellors, to provide our clients with the best possible advice on all aspects of their separation.

We know that people may be concerned that by engaging lawyers, they risk making things worse, and possibly damaging already fragile relationships and so we are committed to ensuring that this does not happen. We recognise how important it is to consider the effect of legal proceedings on the entire family, especially on children.

Where appropriate, our approach is to attempt to resolve issues in a constructive and non-confrontational way. As members of Resolution, the organisation for family lawyers, we are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes and we offer mediation and collaborative law as alternatives to court. However, when necessary, we will not hesitate to take a robust approach to ensure the right outcome for our client.

“We recognise how important it is to consider the effect that legal proceedings can have on the family…”

Due to the particularly sensitive nature of family law, we offer a free initial 30-minute meeting to allow you to get to know us and discuss options and a way forward.

If you would like to arrange such a meeting, please contact us:

01892 510 222

info@bussmurton.co.uk

Divorce/Civil Partnership Dissolution

Whether you make the application yourself or wish us to do this for you, we can guide you through the process, making it less stressful and ensuring that you avoid potential pitfalls. As there is a 20-week cooling off period from presentation of the divorce application to the earliest date on which you can apply for the Conditional Divorce Order (the interim stage in the divorce process), we can use this time to consider arrangements for children, along with possible financial settlements. If an agreement can be reached covering all financial matters, then once the Conditional Divorce has been granted, we can present an agreed financial order to the Court for approval by a Judge (known as a Consent Order).

Children and Financial Matters

Whether you need to resolve issues over arrangements for children, finances, or both, we are here to assist and advise you. We understand what a difficult time this can be and that you may have immediate concerns about both short and long term arrangements and we will support you throughout the process, helping you to move forward in as strong a position as possible.

Mediation and Alternatives to Court

We strive to resolve all issues without the need for contested court proceedings. In many cases, non-court dispute resolution allows matters to be resolved more quickly and less expensively.
Mediation may be the right solution for you to resolve conflict with your former-partner and enable you both to sort out all sorts of issues following the breakdown of your relationship, including financial matters and arrangements for your children. Mediation can also be helpful for wider family members, such as grandparents. Mediation enables you to discuss matters openly with your former partner, within a safe, confidential framework and in a balanced way, helping you reach the best solutions for you and your family.
In the collaborative law process, each person is supported by their own collaboratively trained lawyer. In a series of round table meetings, we discuss issues including financial settlements and arrangements for children, with a view to reaching agreement on all matters; saving time, legal costs and, protecting already fragile relationships, from further damage.

Arbitration, private FDRs and early neutral evaluation are also options. Private Judges are instructed as an alternative to the usual court process, offering a flexible, fast way to resolve financial and child related issues.

Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements

We can assist and advise you in negotiating financial settlements with a view to protecting assets in the event of a breakdown in the relationship.

Cohabitation

We can advise and support you in the event that your relationship fails, in relation to children and finances in order to make the separation as painless as possible, with any agreement being recorded in a Deed of Separation for your future security.