When a relationship breaks down, it can be a very emotional and stressful time. We understand that every relationship is different, and each case must be considered individually, so we do not adopt a one size fits all approach.
Our family solicitors in Bournemouth can offer specialist legal advice on all aspects of relationship breakdown and children issues to offer you support and guidance through this difficult time.
We have an accredited member of the Law Society Family Law Panel, a member of the Solicitors Family Law Association, a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and we are a member on the panel for the National Centre for Domestic Violence.
We provide advice and assistance for all members of the family, including spouses and civil partners, parents and grandparents. Our team can also provide assistance for people who have involvement with Social Services in relation to the care of their children.
How our family lawyers can help you
- Divorce
- Separation agreements
- Financial matters
- Prenuptial agreements
- Postnuptial agreements
- Children law
- Cohabitation
- Domestic abuse and injunctions
- Care proceedings
Divorce
Divorce is said to be one of the most stressful experiences you can go through. This includes both the legal process of ending your marriage as well as separating your finances and making arrangements for any children you have. Expert legal support can make things much easier, ensuring everything is handled correctly while protecting your interests and those of your loved ones.
Our divorce solicitors in Bournemouth can help you with every part of getting divorced, including divorce applications, division of finances and child arrangements. Using our many years of experience, we can avoid unnecessary conflict while making sure no detail is overlooked.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with divorce.
Separation agreements
Where you believe your relationship is at an end but you are not yet ready to divorce, or divorce is not an option, making a separation agreement can be a vital lifeline. This allows you to agree on how your finances will be divided and make arrangements for children without the need for formal divorce proceedings.
Our Bournemouth family lawyers can advise on whether a separation agreement is appropriate, then help with negotiating the terms and drafting the agreement. We can also support you if you later need to vary the terms of a separation agreement.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with separation agreements.
Financial matters
The right division of finances in a divorce or separation is essential to make sure you have a secure future for yourself and your loved ones. These matters can often be resolved amicably through negotiation or mediation, but in some cases, it may be necessary to apply to a family court to decide how your finances should be split in a Financial Order.
Our family lawyers in Bournemouth can assist with any financial matters you need help to resolve, including decisions about your family home, pensions, savings, investments and business assets.
Prenuptial agreements
A growing number of couples now make a prenuptial agreement before getting married. This helps to provide clarity over how assets would be divided in the event of divorce, removing a potential source of tension during the marriage and reducing the likelihood of conflict if the marriage ends in divorce.
Our family law solicitors are experts in negotiating and drafting prenuptial agreements, including for complex and high value assets. We can also advise on the application of prenuptial agreements during divorce.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with prenuptial agreements.
Postnuptial agreements
Postnuptial agreements offer the same protection as prenuptial agreements but can be made at any time during a marriage. They can be a good option if you have a prenuptial agreement that is no longer appropriate (e.g. because you have had children) or if you simply wish to clarify how assets would be divided if your marriage were to end.
Our family law solicitors in Bournemouth can help with negotiating and drafting postnuptial agreements to match your individual circumstances and advise on how an existing agreement will apply to your situation if you are going through a divorce.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with postnuptial agreements.
Children law
During and following a separation where there are children to consider, it is important to make sure their needs and their wellbeing come first, but your relationship with them must also be protected.
Our family lawyers can assist with making arrangements for children voluntarily, dealing with applications for a Child Arrangements Order made by a court and making changes to child arrangements when required.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with children law.
Cohabitation
Cohabitating couples have no automatic legal rights – contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’ in the eyes of the law. Unmarried couples who are living together must therefore take steps to protect themselves against the risk of a future separation with a cohabitation agreement. This sets out what should happen in the event the relationship ends, with particular emphasis on the division of finances.
Our Bournemouth family law solicitors can assist with negotiating and drafting cohabitation agreements, as well as supporting anyone dealing with separation as an unmarried couple.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with cohabitation.
Domestic abuse and injunctions
Domestic abuse comes in many forms and can have a hugely damaging impact on you and on any children involved in the situation. It is important to realise that you are not alone, and there are strong legal measures that can be used to keep you and your loved ones safe.
We can provide swift, effective support to help protect you and your loved ones following domestic abuse of any kind. You can speak to our team in total confidence, and we can advise on your legal options, as well as guide you towards various types of practical support available.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with domestic violence and injunctions.
Care proceedings
When a local authority becomes involved with your family and your children, it can be very confusing and distressing. Seeking out expert legal advice can help to make sure your family has the best possible support so you can get the right outcome for your children and for you.
Our specialist care proceedings solicitors can help with a wide range of matters, including where a local authority has contacted you about your children and where your children have been taken out of your care.
Read more about how our family lawyers can help with care proceedings.
Our family law solicitors’ fees
Fixed fee family law services
Our family lawyers can assist with some matters on a fixed fee basis, including key parts of divorce proceedings.
Hourly rates for our family law solicitors
We offer competitive hourly rates for more complex matters where ongoing advice and support is required.
Family law insights from our team
- How Is a House Divided in Divorce?
- Daily Telegraph Owner Accused of Failing to Pay Ex-wife £50 Million - What Divorcing Couples Can Learn About Avoiding Conflict
- Bill and Melinda Gates Divorce Reflects Growing Trend of Amicable Separation
- Good Divorce Week 2020 - What Makes a Good Divorce?
Get in touch with our family law solicitors in Bournemouth
To speak to one of our friendly, highly experienced family lawyers, please contact our Bournemouth office on 01202 292 424 or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.