What, exactly, does the Family Law service involve?

Broadly speaking, it covers all the sensitive practical, financial and legal implications when a married (or co-habiting) couple separate or divorce. This includes advice to those in a civil partnership.

Whatever the issue, no matter how sensitive or how complex, you can rest assured that our team understands that each case is unique and accordingly will treat yours with as much empathy as expertise.

• Children’s welfare – including residence, contact issues, Social Services involvement and adoption.

• Maintenance payments

• Financial disputes arising from divorce

• Division of property and other assets

• Referrals to mediation, where appropriate

Why do I need Family Law advice?

When the breakdown of a relationship is acrimonious, the need for legal representation and advice is self-evident. However, we’re well aware that many couples manage to separate on friendly terms – but even then, we strongly advise that you seek legal advice to make sure things stay friendly and so that you can make arrangements that are acceptable to all concerned.

How can you help?

There’s nothing we can do about the inevitable emotional aftermath of a relationship’s end – but we can minimise the additional stress of financial, property and childcare concerns, thereby providing you with some peace of mind in painful times. Of course our Family team is sympathetic and sensitive to your worries – but they’re also pragmatic and objective, two qualities that are vital if you’re to reach a satisfactory and fair agreement.

Help with separation and divorce issues

We can advise on all aspects of divorce and/or separation and all the legal ins and outs that arise from them, as well as explaining the powers of the Court and the options available to you. Naturally our Family team members are established experts in the field. Sharon Montgomery, Danielle Statham and Slavica Stricevic are all members of Resolution (the new name for Solicitors Family Law Association). Sharon is also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel. Sharon is accredited as a Resolution specialist in relation to children and financial matters. Danielle’s accreditation as a Law Society Children Panel member qualifies her to act, not only for parents and grandparents in cases about children, but also for the children themselves.

Help with your children’s future

There’s nothing more important than your children’s welfare – where they will live and with whom, when they will see their other parent and who will pay for their support. Not only will we provide you with advice on all aspects of the Children Act – we will also handle any adoption or public law proceedings and liaise with local authorities, Social Services and the CSA on your behalf.

Help when things get unpleasant

Regrettably, things sometimes get difficult to the extent that you don’t know where to turn. The answer is to turn to us. If a former partner’s behaviour becomes intolerable we have the experience and expertise to seek an injunction as swiftly and efficiently as is possible to restrain them or to secure your joint assets.

Help with money matters

It might not feel like it in the heat of the moment but money matters – to you, to your former partner and, most importantly, to your children if you have any. Our experience in handling the financial consequences of marital breakdown is hard to match – and we believe in taking a common-sense and realistic approach that helps you to understand your position clearly and that resolves your financial issues with as little fuss and delay as possible. Those issues include the division of property and capital, including pensions as well as maintenance payments.

Putting your needs and your children’s first

Every case is different but our aim is always the same – to help you tie up your relationship’s loose ends with as little pain as possible. With that in mind, we strive to achieve fair settlements without involving the courts, often calling on the services of our panel of mediators and consultants comprising specialist counsel, accountants, pension experts, actuaries and financial advisors.

Sometimes, though, court proceedings are unavoidable – in which case you’re in the most capable and caring of hands with a team that is experienced in cases involving more than £1 million as well as those with more modest assets. We never forget, though, that the object of the exercise is to protect your assets and do our utmost to ensure that the cost of our services is realistically affordable, advise you on any public funding you might be entitled to and give you a clear outline of the likely costs from the start.

If you’d like us to help you reach the best possible settlement for you, your former partner and for your children, please contact us by telephone or email.