Family Matters

Introduction

It is the aim and commitment of the Family Department to make the process of separation, divorce and ancillary financial and children issues as painless as possible. We will not only guide you through the legal process but we will ensure that you are provided with information on therapeutic support which will also help you to conclude what is in the main a difficult time for the whole family.

Who are you?

As a family client you will have a variety of needs depending on your personal circumstances. You may fall into one of the following categories:-

Are you married and thinking of separating or have you separated?
What if you are not married and are thinking of separating or have separated, whether you have
lived together or not?
Does your case only concern children and if so is it one that involves Social Services?

Whichever category you fall into you will be emotionally raw and drained. It is our aim to help you resolve the issues quickly and effectively to enable you to have a stable and secure future.

Are you married and thinking of separating or have you separated?

One of the first things that we will consider with you is whether separation and/or divorce are inevitable or can the relationship be saved. We will consider relationship counselling to assist both you and your partner or either one of you.

If the breakdown is irretrievable then we will consider the following with you:-

Divorce or Separation
What is going to happen to the home and the other assets of the family
What is going to happen to the children? Who are they going to live with and how much time are
they going to spend with the non-resident parent?
Do you or your children need emergency protection? What about accommodation? Do your assets
need protecting?

In association with the above we will also advise you on long term planning and the availability of financial support from the state and your ex partner.

Throughout the process we will give you full and honest advice that will help you make the right decisions for you and your children.

What if you are not married and are thinking of separating or have separated, whether you have lived together or not?

Whilst the rules are different for unmarried couples there are still a lot of important steps to take to end a relationship.

We will consider the following with you:-

What are your rights to stay in the property?
Are you entitled to share in the value of the property and if so how do you achieve this?
Are you entitled to any financial help with the children both by way of maintenance and a home for
them?
Who are the children going to live with and how much will they see the non-resident parent? If you
are a father do you have Parental Responsibility and if not how do you get it?
If you or your children need emergency protection/accommodation how do you get it?

You will get full and honest advice from us on the legal process and in the long term advice on how to safeguard your future and provide for your children.

In association with the above we will consider outside agencies that may help you with the emotional breakdown together with those that may offer practical solutions to your immediate problems.

Does your case only concern children and if so is it one that involves Social Services?

The priorities for us and for you are going to concern your children whether or not you fit into one of the above or this category. Their needs and welfare must come first.

As parents in dispute you will want help with where your children are going to live and how much will they see their other parent.

In some cases it may be Social Services who have intervened in your care of the children. We will assist you to do everything you can to secure their return and to enable you to have a continuing relationship with them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

With all of the above we will consider with you:-

Relationship counselling
Mediation as opposed to reconciliation, to help you resolve the practical issues without court action
Making a Will, so that you can provide for your family even after you have gone
Independent Financial Advice
Support Groups to remove the common feeling of loneliness and isolation. You are not unusual and
you can share your experiences with other people in the same position as you.

Costs

All first interviews are free. Every client is assessed for legal aid. If you are not eligible for legal aid then an estimate and breakdown of costs will be given to you and options as to how to spread the payments will be discussed.

The Team

Mr Robert Prigg - Partner and Solicitor since 1995. Robert is the Head of the Family Department, an accredited specialist in Family Law as a Member of the Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme; a Member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association) and committed to their Code of Practice in the conduct of family matters; he is a solicitor member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and also sits as a Deputy District Judge.

Miss Samantha Hoyle - Partner and Solicitor with a wide experience of all aspects of family law. Samantha is an accredited specialist in Family Law as a Member of the Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme. She is also a Member of Resolution.

Amy Williams - Trainee Legal Executive who, in due course, will be enrolled as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Amy has successfully progressed within the Family Department and now manages her own caseload demonstrating a particular interest in family matters concerning children in separation.

Jane Lewis, Helen Smart and Jo Dorsett provide valuable support and assistance to Robert and Samantha in and out of the office and have a vast amount of administrative experience between them.