Family Law Solicitors

Ending a marriage and resolving its financial consequences are separate tasks. A divorce changes legal status; it does not, by itself, decide ownership of the home, divide pensions or settle maintenance. Identify the decisions you need to make before choosing an application or agreeing terms.

A financial settlement considers the resources and needs of the family. Where agreement is reached, a financial consent order is the route for asking the court to approve its terms. Someone who does not wish to end the marriage may instead need advice about judicial separation or a separation agreement.

• Divorce
• Divorce financial settlements
• Consent orders
• Separation agreements

Decisions about where a child lives and spends time should focus on the child's welfare. Parents may be able to make arrangements without a court order; disagreement or safeguarding concerns can require a different approach.

Child maintenance concerns financial support and is distinct from living and contact arrangements. Keeping these questions separate helps avoid treating payments as a condition of a child's relationship with either parent.

• Child arrangements
• Child maintenance

Highfin's published Family Law material includes advice on agreements made before and after marriage. These can record financial intentions, but their effect needs careful assessment rather than a promise that every term will bind a court.

Cohabitation and civil-partnership matters involve different legal considerations. Unmarried couples should not assume the financial rules for divorce apply to them. Explain your relationship status when enquiring so that the appropriate legal framework and scope of assistance can be considered.

• Prenuptial agreements
• Postnuptial agreements

Negotiation and other non-court options may help resolve a dispute, but they must be appropriate to the circumstances. Domestic abuse, pressure or an urgent need for protection should be raised at the outset; agreement is not an objective to pursue at the expense of safety.

Highfin's existing service material includes protective injunctions. The dedicated non-molestation page is the relevant starting point for that enquiry. The website form is not an emergency service and currently cannot submit information.

• Non-molestation orders

A useful first conversation separates immediate concerns from longer-term decisions. Identify any court deadline, existing order or safety concern before describing the outcome you hope to achieve.

Highfin can be asked to assess the legal issues and discuss the assistance available. The person responsible, work included, fees and any representation would need to be agreed. No fixed-fee package, free consultation or funding arrangement is confirmed by this page.

• Your relationship status and relevant dates.
• Any current proceedings, orders or written agreements.
• The main questions about children, housing, money or protection; do not send sensitive documents through the development form.