Michelle Fitzpatrick Consultant Family Law Solicitor

Michelle is an experienced family law solicitor.

Her practice comprises all areas of family law including divorce and separation, financial remedy settlements where the assets can be complex or held in trust or overseas, pre and postnuptial agreements, and difficult or sensitive contact arrangements for children. She has excellent relationships with Counsel, expert pension advisors, forensic accountants and other professionals to support her clients. She works with clients to secure the best outcome through negotiations but will recommend alternative routes where applicable, such as private Dispute Resolutions hearings or ultimately Court, if necessary.

Recent examples of her cases include advising on i) to what extent property inherited by one party during the marriage should be shared as part of the financial settlement; ii) whether post-separation growth in a business should be excluded from the matrimonial assets; iii) successfully resisting an Appeal for spousal maintenance to be reduced following the impact of covid; iv ) securing the change of residence of a 13-year-old child.

Michelle qualified in 2004 and trained as a specialist Family Law Mediator in 2008. She was a partner and Head of the Guildford family Law department for a Nationwide law firm before joining Setfords. Michelle is a member of Resolution, a national family law organisation committed to the constructive settlement of disputes and promotes the highest standards of practice. She was a committee member of Surrey Resolution for 10 years.

Outside of work Michelle spends time with her family and enjoys the arts.