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Family law & divorce

The very personal nature of family disputes requires clear and objective advice to resolve sensitive issues regarding divorce/civil partnership dissolution, pre and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation, and children

Expertise

Divorce

We advise on all aspects of divorce, including the divorce procedure and division of family capital and income. We also advise on the prevention and effect of either party disposing of their assets just prior to or during divorce proceedings.

Pre and post-nuptial/civil partnership agreements

Although not always legally binding in England and Wales, the courts are placing more weight on such agreements. As a result they are becoming increasingly common in order to protect assets such as inherited, pre-marital/pre-partnership or trust assets in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.

Cohabitation

Many people wrongly believe that cohabitants share the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples and civil partners. We can provide the expert advice cohabitants need to protect their position.

Dissolution of civil partnerships

This is a rapidly developing area of family law, and one in which we have particular expertise, including the first case to reach the High Court and subsequently the Court of Appeal regarding the division of the partners’ finances.

Children

Disputes concerning children can be particularly distressing. Our objective to find speedy, amicable solutions to minimise any adverse effects on those involved. We advise on all issues, including residence, contact, level of maintenance, child abduction and where one party wishing to relocate with the children, whether within the UK or abroad.

Collaborative law and mediation

We offer a specialist legal service for these increasingly important forms of dispute resolution, either for financial or children issues in connection with divorce, as a way to reach agreement without going to court.

Contact

James Ferguson
Partner and Head of Family
t: +44 (0) 20 7079 8104
jferguson@boodlehatfield.com
Barbara Simpson
Partner
t: +44 (0)20 7079 8227
bsimpson@boodlehatfield.com

“excellent family law team” Legal 500 2010
“It talks the same language as its clients, and is able to move things forward in a pragmatic way.” Chambers 2011

Recent awards

Legal 500 2012 - Recommended Firm

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