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 family court.

We can also assist with child arrangements orders, setting out key arrangements such as where a child will live, when they spend time with each parent, and when and how contact will take place. 

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 aren’t married. Unfortunately, couples don’t often take legal advice when making joint financial decisions, such as buying a house, and this can cause problems if their 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.

An experienced Setfords family lawyer 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. Our divorce lawyers aim to help clients by assisting them with all of the legal formalities involved in a divorce. 

We can advise and guide you through the divorce process, drafting the necessary papers and dealing with the family court on your behalf. If you have received a divorce petition from your ex-partner, we can also deal with this quickly and efficiently to best protect your interests.

Financial disputes

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

At Setfords, we can help you identify and understand your financial resources and discuss the options available to you. These options may include maintenance payments by you, payments for you or your children, the transfer or sale of property, and the division of pensions.

A Setfords family law specialist will look at your unique case and how to 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 family mediator can help a couple reach a mutually acceptable agreement. It’s beneficial because it’s designed to avoid costly court proceedings. 

Setfords’ family mediators do not typically provide legal advice or counselling, but offers impartial input to help couples work together to solve disagreements surrounding the separation and reach an outcome they can both accept. For example, considering how finances will be organised or how children will be cared for. 

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, helping separating couples to reach an agreement that can benefit them both.

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.

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

Enlist Setfords’ family law consultants today to help you draft a separation deed, 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 family 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.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can take several forms, including physical, emotional, or financial abuse. If you’re a victim of domestic violence, you have several legal options open to you. Our family law specialists can discuss your next steps in an empathetic and professional manner.