Family Law

Children

All too often when a relationship breaks down, there can be an enormous impact on the children. To protect them, issues involving children need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Setfords can help you focus on their welfare to achieve what is in their best interests, whether through negotiation, mediation or by an application to a court.

Cohabitation

If you and your partner are intending to move in together or are already living with one another, you should consider setting up a cohabitation agreement.

This is a formal written document for couples who choose to live together but don’t marry. Unfortunately, couples often do not take legal advice when making joint financial decisions, such as buying a house, and this can cause problems in the event that the parties’ relationship breaks down.

No one wants to think negatively at the beginning of a relationship, but it’s important to understand that, should things end down the line, cohabiting couples have no legal status.

Setfords can help you create a cohabitation agreement and ensure you and your partner are protected no matter what happens in the future.

Divorce

The ending of a marriage can be a distressing time, regardless of who made the decision. We aim to help clients by assisting them with the legal formalities involved in a divorce. 

Setfords can advise and guide you through this process, drafting the necessary papers and dealing with the court on your behalf. In the event of you having received a divorce petition, we can also deal with this quickly to protect your interests.

Financial disputes

The financial aspect of a separation can often give rise to more concern than the separation itself. 

Having fully identified and understood your financial resources, we can discuss with you the options available. These may include maintenance payments by you or for you or your children, transfer or sale of property, and dividing up pensions.

Setfords will look at your case and its unique facts and apply the law to help you achieve the best possible solution.

Mediation

Mediation is an alternative way of resolving the issues that arise when couples decide to separate. It is a voluntary process whereby a qualified  mediator helps them reach a mutually acceptable agreement that avoids costly court proceedings. 

A mediator does not typically provide legal advice or counselling, but offers impartial input to enable couples to reach an agreement that they are both content with. 

Setfords’ family law mediators help couples reach agreements on how to best deal with the future. This is typically achieved by considering the way that the children may be cared for, or how finances will be organised.

Our mediation department handles all aspects of family law mediation. As Setfords’ mediators are also qualified family law solicitors, they both understand the law and are trained in mediation skills.

Premarital agreements

Premarital agreements, which are commonly referred to as prenups, are becoming increasingly popular, even though they can be seen as unromantic. However, such agreements can provide clarity and certainty for a couple about to enter into a lifelong commitment.

There are many reasons why a premarital agreement may be a good idea:

• To predict the outcome of any divorce settlement before you marry.
• To save on costs and acrimony that sometimes result in divorce proceedings.
• To prevent speculative claims following a short marriage.
• To protect family assets which are intended to pass through generations.
• To protect those marrying later in life or for a second time, who may not have children.
• To limit the claims of a second spouse, and so protect the needs of children from previous marriages.

Setfords’ family law solicitors have all the required experience to negotiate and draft prenup agreements, taking into account what both parties want and agree to.

Separation

For couples who separate but don’t divorce, a separation deed can help them formalise their separation and deal with certain legal issues. 

These include children-related and certain financial matters, as well as things like the division of their home’s contents and personal belongings. 

Enlist Setfords’ family law solicitors today to help you draft a separation deed and safeguard your personal interests and reduce conflict during a difficult time.

Parental alienation

Children are heavily influenced by their parents. Hostility between the two can unfortunately result in them siding with one parent against the other, either intentionally or unintentionally. This may manifest itself as the child’s desire to reject all contact with that parent. 

When parental alienation arises between implacably hostile parents, it is essential not just to address the parents‘ behaviour, but also to consider what course of action is in the best interests of the child.

Setfords understand that matters surrounding parental alienation are emotional and stressful. Our expert solicitors are experienced in all elements surrounding implacably hostile parents, and will work with you to achieve the best outcome for you and your children.