Protect Your Family. Resolve It With Confidence.

Family law deals with legal matters relating to creating and ending family relationships and child-related issues, including divorce, civil partnership dissolution, financial settlements, cohabitation rights, nuptial agreements, child arrangements and parental responsibility. It also covers specific orders such as maintenance and safeguarding issues.

Unlike married couples, cohabitants don’t automatically have the same legal protections. Legal advice can help clarify property, finances and agreements you may need to protect your interests.

Child arrangements determine where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent. Agreements can be reached by consent or formalised through a Child Arrangements Order if needed.

Parental responsibility is the legal right and duty to make decisions about a child’s upbringing. Mothers automatically have PR, and fathers acquire PR if married to the mother at the time of the child's birth. For unmarried fathers, PR is acquired automatically if they are named on the birth certificate (for births registered after 1 December 2003). It can also be acquired by parental responsibility agreement or court order.

If parents cannot reach an agreement, family law solicitors can assist with mediation, negotiation, or, if necessary, applications to the court to make a decision based on the child’s best interests.

Your ability to stay will depend on numerous factors. Married spouses have a right to occupy the matrimonial home under the Family Law Act 1996, regardless of whose name is on the title. For cohabiting couples, rights depend on legal and beneficial ownership, financial contributions, and any agreements in place. Legal advice is essential to protect your interests and seek the right orders.

There is no automatic 50/50 rule. The court considers various factors including needs, contributions and future circumstances. Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements may also influence outcomes.

While not legally required, a solicitor provides expert guidance through complex proceedings, helps protect your rights, ensures legal documents are properly prepared, and represents you in negotiations or court if necessary.

Costs vary widely based on complexity. There are court fees and legal costs which differ depending on whether matters are agreed or contested. Our solicitors can provide estimates tailored to your case.

Before certain court applications, attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is usually required to explore alternatives to court proceedings. Family law solicitors can help identify whether non-court dispute resolution options may be appropriate in your case.

A separation agreement can set out terms for living apart, finances and child arrangements informally or formally. Legal advice helps determine if this approach suits your situation.

Family law solicitors can assist with applications to vary child arrangements, maintenance or other orders if circumstances change. If an existing order is not being complied with, solicitors can also help with enforcement, including applications for enforcement orders or other remedies available to the court.