Family Law Solicitors

From 5th December 2005, same-sex couples have been able to enter into Civil Partnerships. Prior to entering into a Civil Partnership, you may wish to consider entering into a Pre-Partnership Agreement to protect your assets and we are able to advise you on this.

The end of a civil partnership is a traumatic time for all couples. People have to deal with heightened emotions as well as the stress of managing their everyday lives and dealing with joint matters with their former partners which can include contact with Children and Financial Settlements.  

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors aim to help our clients through this difficult time by dealing with these matters on your behalf in a sympathetic, efficient and professional manner.

Whichever party we are acting for, we will provide you with an excellent and understanding service.

Dissolution proceedings can only be issued one year after the date of the civil partnership.  If the civil partnership has broken down within the first year, the time leading up to this period can be used to start resolving matters concerning children and finances.

Generally, it takes between 6 to 12 months to complete a dissolution and all other outstanding issues.

In the event of a breakdown of the relationship, the Civil Partnership can be dissolved in a similar way to a divorce for married couples; however, there are some differences which we can advise you on.

Dissolution of a civil partnership affects the parties rights under an existing will and therefore you should review your will and our Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf. If you do not have a will, you should consider to whom you wish to leave your property and again, Courtyard Family Law Solicitors are able to assist you in preparing it.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

When a family relationship breaks down, it is difficult for both the parents and the children. In these situations, the welfare of the child will always come first. We can help our clients deal with the following  issues: -

• Residence There are no fixed rules as to which parent a child/children should live with. The important thing is that they are in a safe and secure environment and this can be with either parent depending on your particular circumstances. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
• Contact If your child/children are not living with you, Courtyard Family Law Solicitors can help you in trying to reach an agreement with your former partner to enable you to see your child/children regularly so as to maintain your relationship with them. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
• Parental responsibility If you are not married to the mother of your child/children, you do not have the same legal rights as a married father such as being able to make decisions relating to the child/children's health, education, and welfare. Courtyard Family Law Solicitors can advise you in this respect and prepare a parental responsibility agreement which will give you these rights provided the mother agrees. If agreement cannot be reached, then we can help you in relation to the necessary court application which will need to be issued.
• Prohibited Steps If you have concerns about your child being taken away from you whether it be temporarily or permanently and whether it be within England or outside the country, we can advise you in respect of this and apply for the relevant prohibitive court orders to prevent this. If you have imminent fears, Courtyard Family Law Solicitors can offer you an appointment at short notice and consider making an emergency application at Court.
• International Child Abduction If your child has been taken out of the country without your consent, we can apply to the Court for an order for their return. We can liaise with lawyers in foreign countries for them to make applications on your behalf if necessary.
• If you have specific problems relating to your child/children for example, your ex-partner will not tell you what school your child is going to, Courtyard Family Law Solicitors can advise you in this respect and make an application at Court if necessary.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

Cohabitation Agreements set out the wishes of the parties in relation to financial and other arrangements. These can help both parties to fully appreciate their own rights and their obligations to the other party whilst they are living together and this will provide certainty. You should also consider making a will as the rules relating to inheritance and intestacy do not apply to unmarried couples and a cohabitation agreement will not be binding in the event of one of the cohabitees dying. 

In the event of a relationship breakdown, the existence of a cohabitation agreement will provide a framework for resolving any disputes and hopefully avoid the necessity of any court proceedings. The agreement can also set out the parties wishes with regard to children to again provide a framework in the event of a relationship breakdown. Such agreements relating to children are not legally binding as either party could apply to the court in relation to the children. However, it is likely that the court will consider the intention of the parties as set out in the agreement but will not be bound by that agreement. 

At the same time as making a cohabitation agreement, you should also consider making or reviewing your will and our Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

The end of a marriage is a traumatic time for all couples. People have to deal with heightened emotions as well as the stress of managing their everyday lives and dealing with joint matters with their former spouses which can include contact with Children and Financial Settlements.

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors aim to help our clients through this difficult time by dealing with these matters in a sympathetic, efficient and professional manner.

Whichever party we are acting for, we will provide you with an excellent and understanding service.

Divorce proceedings can only be issued one year after the date of the marriage. If the marriage has broken down within the first year, the time leading up to this period can be used to start resolving matters concerning children and finances.

Generally, it takes between 6 to 12 months to complete a divorce and all other outstanding issues.

Divorce affects the parties rights under an existing will and you should therefore review your will and Courtyard Solicitors Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf. If you do not have a will, you should think about who you would like to leave your property to and have your will drawn up.

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors has a team of highly experienced divorce solicitors in Wimbledon, London who also cover Totnes in South Devon.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

We are able to offer appointments at short notice when a person has been subjected to any form of domestic violence or feels that they are at risk of being subjected to domestic violence whether it be verbal, physical or emotional from their spouse or someone they have been in a relationship with or a family member. We will advise you on the best form of action to take to protect you and consider attending Court to obtain emergency protective injunctive orders. Courtyard Family Law Solicitors are able to do this without advising the other party that an application is being made.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

Resolving financial matters during a divorce or the ending of a civil partnership can be a complicated procedure. There are a number of factors which will need to be considered, especially where children are involved.

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors will be able to deal with the issues on your behalf and secure the best possible financial settlement for you. Initially, we will try to achieve a settlement through negotiations in order to save you unnecessary distress and costs. However, in the event that a settlement cannot be reached, then we will actively pursue the matter through court proceedings.

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors are able to advise and represent you on all matters including emergency maintenance (known as maintenance pending suit/maintenance pending outcome in civil partnership dissolutions), property division, lump sum payments, pension rights and maintenance payments to a spouse and for the children.

Divorce affects the parties' rights under an existing will and therefore you should review your will and Courtyard Solicitors Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf. If you do not have a will, you should consider to whom you wish to leave your property and again, we are able to assist you in preparing it.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

There are circumstances in which your marriage can be declared null and void. This means that legally the marriage itself is treated as if it had never taken place. Courtyard Family Law Solicitors can advise you on the grounds upon which you could apply for your marriage to be annulled.

There is no requirement to wait 1 year to commence proceedings for nullity.

The end of a marriage is a traumatic time for all couples. People have to deal with heightened emotions as well as the stress of managing their everyday lives and dealing with matters jointly with their former spouses which can include contact with children and financial arrangements.

Courtyard Family Law Solicitors aim to help our clients through this difficult time by dealing with these matters in a sympathetic, efficient and professional manner.

Whichever party we are acting for, we will provide you with an excellent and understanding service.

Nullity affects the parties' rights under an existing will and you should therefore review your will and Courtyard Solicitors Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf. If you do not have a will, you should think about who you would like to leave your property to and have your will drawn up.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us

It may seem strange and unromantic that before you are even married, you might want to make an agreement with your partner setting out your financial obligations to each other in the event of problems in your marriage. Pre-nuptial agreements may be a consideration for couples for a number of reasons such as where there is one wealthier partner or when it is a second marriage for a person who has children from a previous marriage who wishes to preserve their property and/or assets for their children.

There are a growing number of couples entering into pre-nuptial agreements as a realistic and positive step. These agreements can provide certainty in the relationship which can avoid future disagreements.

Although pre-nuptial agreements are not presently enforceable in the English Courts, the courts are recognising the importance of these agreements and whilst they are not binding, the courts will take the terms into account when deciding on how the assets should be divided. The Law Commission will be considering these this year with the intention that legislation will be introduced in 2012.

At the same time as making a pre-nuptial agreement, you should also consider making or reviewing your will and Courtyard Solicitors Wills and Probate Department will be able to advise you on this and prepare a will on your behalf.

For initial legal advice, call us on 0208 946 9466 or email us