England & Derbyshire Solicitors

Our family law department

Family law is the most personal area of law there is

The decisions made here — about finances, about children, about where you live and what you keep — can shape the rest of your life. We don't take that lightly.

Speak to a solicitor

A named solicitor, from the first call to the final order

Our family solicitors handle matters from the first call to the final order. You have a named solicitor throughout. You know what's happening at every stage. And you're told things as they are, not legal shorthand.

If you don't see your situation listed here, call us. The answer is almost certainly yes, we can help.

Divorce & No-Fault Divorce

As of April 2022, you don't need a reason to divorce, and your spouse can't block it. The process takes a minimum of 26 weeks, though in practice, once finances and children are included, most divorces take between 12 and 18 months. We guide you through every stage and we make sure financial matters are properly settled before the divorce closes. A lot of people don't realise that the divorce itself doesn't sort the money. We make sure that oversight doesn't happen to you.

Financial Settlements

Financial settlement is almost always the most significant part of a divorce, and the most contested. The family home, business interests, pension funds, savings, property abroad — all of it is on the table. Courts in England and Wales start from a position of equal division, but that can be departed from. Our background in professional negligence means we know exactly where settlements go wrong, and it's usually pensions. We were directly responsible for changing how pension assets are valued in divorce proceedings across England and Wales.

Child Arrangements

Where children live, how much time they spend with each parent, how decisions about their lives are made: these are the questions that carry the most emotional weight in any family breakdown. We act only in private children law. Our solicitors understand both the legal framework and the human reality, and they work toward outcomes that actively serve your children's welfare.

Domestic Abuse, Non-Molestation & Occupation Orders

If you need immediate protection — a non-molestation order, an occupation order, or urgent injunctive relief — we're here with the legal help you need. We've carefully handled extremely complex situations, always putting your safety first.

High-Net-Worth Divorce & Complex Financial Cases

We advise clients on divorces involving significant assets such as business interests, multiple properties, substantial pension funds and overseas holdings. We work with forensic accountants and valuers where necessary, and we're not reluctant to push for full financial disclosure when something doesn't add up.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements aren't yet automatically binding in England and Wales, but courts give them real weight when they've been properly drafted, independently advised upon, and freely entered into. We draft agreements that are built to hold up.

Cohabitation, Unmarried Couples & TOLATA Claims

There's no such thing as a 'common law spouse' in English law. If you share a home, finances, or children with a partner outside of marriage, a breakdown can be legally complicated in ways that surprise people. We help you understand your actual position and what you can do about it.

LGBT Family Law

Same-sex divorce, civil partnership dissolution, same-sex parenting, surrogacy, and related matters; all handled with genuine understanding and care by our specialist solicitors.

Common questions

Family solicitors, Guildford — FAQs

Simple answers to the questions we hear often about family law, divorce costs, and how the legal process works in England and Wales. If your question isn't here, the first conversation is free.

Free consultation

Speak to a senior member of the firm

You can call us, email us, or book a call directly. Your first conversation costs nothing and comes with no obligation.

Book your free consultation Call 01483 332080