We know that dealing with family law issues can be extremely emotional and stressful, both on a personal level and a commercial level (when business assets are involved).
It is our aim to advise you in a practical yet understanding way, identifying what is important to you and using our knowledge and experience of family law to work towards the best outcome.
We will give you all the legal help you need to make a complex situation feel easier to deal with.
As we are members of Resolution, we approach every family law matter in a non-confrontational manner.
We can offer advice on:
- Children Issues e.g. Live With Orders, Contact, Specific Issue, Prohibited Steps, Schedule 1 and Special Guardianship Orders
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Domestic Violence
- Divorce and Financial Matters (including businesses and private FDR Court hearings)
- Pre-Nuptial Agreements
- Post-Nuptial Agreements
- Separation Agreements
The right approach for you
We encourage issues to be resolved amicably and fairly through mediation, negotiation and collaboration, but recognise that an agreement is not always possible, and where necessary we will vigorously pursue issues through the courts.
How we can help you reach an agreement
Our advice and guidance in the background will help you talk to your ex -spouse or partner yourself. Knowing where you stand can be really helpful in negotiations.
Receiving advice afterwards about whether the agreement you have reached is legally sound could give you that sense of security you need.
We can also help you formalise any agreements made. For example, we can draft financial consent orders within divorce or dissolution proceedings.
What is mediation in family law?
If you would like to attend mediation, we can refer and support you, providing advice along the way.
Mediation involves attending sessions along with your partner and a trained mediator. The idea is to negotiate and come to agreements on issues you have, concerning money, your children or any other consequences of your separation. The aim is to reach an agreement that works for your family.
The number of mediation sessions you will need will depend on your requirements and the issues to be resolved. Most people going through mediation find it helpful to take advice and support from a family solicitor during this process. Where you are able to reach an agreement, we can make sure that it is fair and right for you.
We can also help you to formalise the agreement in writing, for example by applying to the court for a financial order by consent or drawing up a parenting contract for you both to sign.
What is arbitration in family law?
Family arbitration is a way of resolving issues about your finances or your property if your relationship has come to an end and you have not been able to reach an agreement.
Arbitration is essentially a private Court process. You both decide who the ‘judge’ will be (normally an independent barrister or solicitor) and what issues they are going to decide.
Whether you wish to resolve a small, isolated issue, or the whole case, it is entirely up to you. At the start of the process you and your former partner agree not to back out without the other’s consent and to be bound by the award of the arbitrator.
To learn more about family arbitration, please contact our family law specialists.
Will going to court help?
Sometimes going to court is the only way to resolve matters – for example you may need a judge to deal with an urgent issue, to stop another person taking an action, or to make decisions where you have been unable to reach an agreement.
Alternatively, you may need legal rights that can only be given to you through a Court order.
Where other processes have failed, a Court application can focus everyone on trying to find a solution in a timely manner. A judge may also be able to give helpful indications about what they would do if you asked them to make the final decision. In situations where you need a decision urgently the Court can often act quickly to help.
Even once you go to Court, you can still try to reach an agreement between yourselves. The family court process is designed to try to give you more opportunities to find a solution together and most cases end in an agreement being reached outside of the Court room. The Court then reflects this agreement in an order which is binding on both of you.
Adhering to the highest standards
All family law services we offer match key standards. Our family law and divorce law services meet standards set by the Law Society with client confidentiality a priority.
We deliver bespoke, friendly and professional advice from our family law specialists based in Stoke-on-Trent, Leek, Eccleshall and Uttoxeter, who will recommend a suitable course of action.