We can offer assistance in all areas of family law, including the following:
Divorce and Separation
It is an unfortunate fact of life that not all marriages or relationships are successful. When a relationship breaks down it is not unusual for one or both parties to seek to dissolve the marriage or to seek to resolve the financial arrangements that arise following separation.
We can assist with divorce proceedings and separation agreements.
Financial Settlements
Following separation, divorce or in the case of general family disputes a fair division of the family assets, including the family home, must be worked out. In the majority of cases this is achieved by negotiation between Solicitors and agreement between the parties. We encourage negotiation and agreement rather than conflict and confrontation and we are able to advise in relation to an appropriate division of the family assets.
Cohabitee Disputes
In relation to all financial matters, particularly ownership of property and children of unmarried couples. We can offer expert advice as to whether you have an interest in property held in the sole name of a former partner.
Domestic Abuse
If you have experienced any form of domestic abuse including physical violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, financial and verbal abuse then our family department is able to assist in obtaining suitable protection. It may be that all that is required is a warning letter. In some cases you may require the protection of an injunction to prevent further difficulties. We have strong links also with domestic abuse agencies who are able to offer further support.
Subject to financial eligibility, legal aid is available to represent you in these matters.
Civil Partnership
We advise in all matters relating to the breakdown of a relationship between same sex couples.
Cases
Our team are able to assist in all types of legal matters relating to children to include contact, living arrangements,parental responsibility and adoption
Care Proceedings
We also deal with cases where the local authority have become involved due to concerns relating to the care being provided to a child. Our head of department is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and all members of our team are specialists in this field with years of experience and are able to deal with complex cases relating to children.
We represent parents who have received correspondence indicating that the local authority intend to hold a meeting about a child.
We also represent parents and relatives of children when proceedings have been issued by the local authority.
The type of cases we deal with include applications for a care or supervision order, applications for secure accommodation, pre proceedings meeting, special guardianship and child abduction. Please contact us and we will endeavour to assist you.
Legal aid is available to represent you in these matters.
Other Matters
Costs
We offer fixed fees in the following areas of family law:
Divorce and Dissolution of a Civil Partnership (both for the Petitioner and the Respondent)
Change of name deeds
Some other areas by agreement
Other work is carried out on a time basis charged at hourly rates. Please ask us for details and we will provide you with a quote.
Legal Aid
We hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide advice to our clients in areas of family law where legal aid is still available. This means that subject to financial assessment, you may be entitled to free legal advice and assistance and representation in court.