Family

When a relationship breaks down, Divorce is often a consideration but there are alternatives. We can discuss your options with you, and as divorce and family law specialists can help you with all issues whether they be finances or in respect of the children. We can also offer collaborative law which offers a unique opportunity to resolve matters away from court. We appreciate that choosing a lawyer to deal with personal matters is an important decision so will always offer a free telephone discussion to help you decide whether we are the right lawyers for you.

We understand that when your relationship breaks down, it is likely that you will want to understand your financial rights and obligations, and that you will want to achieve a settlement that helps you move forward and plan for the future. We are experts on advising you on all of the financial issues that flow from divorce or separation. This could include claims in respect of property, businesses, pensions and maintenance. We have the experience to help you and we regularly deal with cases involving complicated issues and high value assets. Wherever possible we encourage our clients to reach a negotiated settlement and are very experienced in dealing with non-court Divorce cases. However, where that is not possible we will work hard to help you achieve the possible outcome. If you are starting a new relationship and would like advice as to how you could manage your affairs to protect your assets and wealth, we can advise on how you may deal with that. That could be by way of a pre-nuptial agreement (if you are to marry), or a cohabitation agreement if you are not to marry. We are happy to discuss these matters with you.

The law related to cohabiting couples is very different to that for married couples. We are specialists in dealing with cases where cohabiting couples separate and have assets. Those assets could include property, businesses and investments. We are able to assist you with all of those issues and will be able to advise you about your rights and obligations, and to help you move forward towards a conclusion.

When couples separate or divorce, they will usually want what is best for the children. However, parents often have a different view as to what is best for a child and thus a conflict or difficulty can arise. We can assist in that situation. We very much take the view that it is better for the children, and the parents, if they can reach an agreement between themselves. We can assist you in reaching that agreement – to include by offering Mediation or Collaborative Law. We can assist in cases where there are disagreements about who a child lives with, the time that a child spends with his/her parents, moving to a different area or another country, about a school that a child is to attend, and any other matter relevant to a child’s upbringing. We can also offer assistance in respect of children’s financial claims where appropriate.

Collaborative Law is a process that allows separating or divorcing couples to resolve matters around the negotiating table with the advice and support of their Specialist Family Lawyers being available during meetings. Collaborative Law can be used in cases where couples are divorcing, or for cohabiting couples who are separating. The issues that can be discussed around the table are wide ranging but can include discussions about the divorce, the children and financial/property matters. Collaborative Law offers couples a unique opportunity to resolve matters in a non-confrontational way. The process is often significantly shorter than traditional Court process and will always cost significantly less than contested court proceedings. The Collaborative process can often involve specialist neutrals such as Financial Advisers or Family Consultants where it is felt that they can assist in bringing about a better outcome. Our Jason Evans pioneered a new style of Collaborative Law in the English Legal system which involves neutrals being involved throughout the process. Please see www.hfls.co.uk or call us for more information.

It is not widely known that It is possible separate and specific financial claims to be made to meet the financial needs of children. This can happen whether or not the parents were married to each other and could follow, for example, a child born to a short relationship, or a situation where one parent is unwilling to make financial provision for a child despite being able to do so. Where necessary, a parent can make an application under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989. Those applications can provide for a housing fund for the child and other lump sums relevant to a child’s upbringing to include motor vehicles, school fees and anything else that may be applicable to a child’s upbringing. We have are specialists in this area of law and are happy to talk to you about the service that we can give whether you are thinking of bringing a claim, or are resisting one.

We are able to offer Mediation Services both in-house, and by referring you to an external mediator who we feel might be best suited to your circumstances. Simply put, mediation is a process where separating couples sit down with a neutral third party to try and work out a solution that they both agree is fair, and suitable for their family. Mediation is appropriate in cases where couples are married or unmarried, and whether the matters to be discussed relate to children and/or financial matters. It is important to remember that mediators cannot offer advice. Their role is to remain neutral. Thus, it is imperative that anyone going through a divorce or separation takes specialists advice from a divorce of family Lawyer during the mediation process to ensure that their best interests are being served. We can assist and offer advice at any stage of the mediation process.