A traditional firm with a modern approach
Family Law Solicitors
At Taylor Fordyce Solicitors, we understand the importance of securing the future of your family and children. Whether you are getting married, moving in with your partner or ending a relationship, we can make sure your needs and those of your loved ones are protected.
Our family law solicitors represent clients from all walks of life including medium and high net worth financial remedy cases.
With many years of family law experience across our team, we can make navigating even the most complex family law matters as straightforward as possible for you and your loved ones.
However, where court proceedings are required to reach a suitable resolution for your case, we will strive to achieve the best results for you, working closely with Winchester and London barrister's chambers where needed.
There may be a scenario where you are facing a number of related family law issues, such as starting or responding to divorce proceedings, while simultaneously needing to sort out a financial settlement and arrangements for children. Where this is the case, we will work closely with you to ensure every detail is taken care of and that we can get the best possible outcome for you.
Our family law solicitors always keep in mind that this may be a very turbulent and difficult time in our clients' lives. As such, our advice is tailored to you, your circumstances and your priorities, and given in plain English with care, empathy and understanding.
Whatever your circumstances, having the best possible family law advice can help you to make those critical choices about your children, your business, your finances and your future.
Contact our family law solicitors today
If you need clear, practical advice on divorce, relationship breakdown and any other area of family law, please get in touch with our expert family solicitors in Winchester, Alresford, Sunningdale or London Paddington today.
Our family law services
We offer a full range of family law advice and support, helping you to successfully navigate every stage of your relationship and the challenges that those different stages can present.
Divorce & separation
If you are going through a divorce or separation, it is understandable to feel confused and overwhelmed by the need to deal with both the emotional and practical fallout of the end of your relationship.
We can help you deal with every aspect of your divorce or separation, including starting or responding to divorce proceedings, dissolving a civil partnership, making a financial settlement and sorting out arrangements for your children.
Find out more about the various options for dealing with your divorce.
Fixed-fee divorce
In many cases, we are able to offer a fixed-fee divorce service to help deal with some of the more straightforward aspects, such as filing or responding to a divorce petition or making a Consent Order to formalise your financial settlement.
Arrangements for children
When dealing with family law matters, making suitable arrangements for your children will be your top priority. Our family solicitors can help you secure workable arrangements for your children, including where they will live and what contact each parent will have with them. In most cases private child law matters of this nature can be handled through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, however, we can also advise you on the use of court proceedings where appropriate.
Divorce financial settlements
Separating your finances from your former partner can be one of the most challenging aspects of relationship breakdown, but with the right approach and expert legal support, even the most complex finances can be successfully unravelled. We can advise you on all of the options for divorce financial settlements, including making a voluntary settlement or using court proceedings, and our team have particular expertise with preservation of assets.
Find out more about the process for making a financial settlement.
Relationship planning & asset protection
When taking your relationship to the next level, whether through marriage, a civil partnership or moving in together, it makes sense to protect yourself against the possible end of your relationship.
Preservation of family assets is especially important where you own a property, have a significant disparity in income or assets with your partner, or have children from a previous relationship whose inheritance you wish to protect.
Pre-nuptial agreements & post-nuptial agreements
A pre-nuptial agreement allows you to agree how your finances will be divided if your marriage ends in divorce. This can give both parties certainty and make the process much easier if you later divorce. A pre-nup can also clarify financial obligations during your relationship, such as how mortgage payments, bills and other costs will be divided.
If you are already married, you can create a post-nuptial agreement or ‘post-nup’. This allows you to get the same protection as a pre-nup if you did not make one or need to vary the terms of your existing pre-nup due to a change of circumstances.
Our family law solicitors can also advise you on creating a similar agreement for civil partnerships known as a pre-civil partnership agreement or pre-registration agreement.
Co-habitation agreements
Many people make the mistake of thinking that if they live together without getting married, they are covered by the principle of ‘common law marriage’. However, there is no such thing, which means that you will have no automatic right to each other’s property or to financial support if your relationship ends.
A co-habitation agreement allows you to set out what each party will be entitled to if you separate, creating clarity and peace of mind for the future.
Domestic violence
If you or a loved one have been a victim of domestic abuse, we can help you take fast, effective action to protect your family. We can apply for a range of court orders and injunctions, helping to prevent your abuser from approaching you or your children and requiring them to leave your family home where necessary.
Civil Partnership dissolution
Civil partnership dissolution can be an overwhelming prospect, with countless arrangements needing to be made at a sensitive time. Our family solicitors can provide expert advice in relation to the dissolution of civil partnerships, ensuring that you have all of the support you need and that your interests remain protected in both the short and long-term.
Why choose Taylor Fordyce’s family law solicitors?
Our family law solicitors focus on providing pragmatic and accessible advice that is tailored to your circumstances. When working with our team, you will always find us to be approachable, supportive and compassionate, listening to your needs and offering clear solutions that protect the interests of you and your family.
We are proud to hold an accreditation with Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation scheme, which recognises members who demonstrate excellence in the practice of family law and in their specific area(s) of expertise.
Taylor Fordyce is independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), providing assurance that we continually meet the highest legal and professional standards.
Our family law solicitor’s expertise
Our family law team is headed by solicitor Jane Longworth. Jane has been a specialist family law solicitor for over 30 years and, as such, has substantial experience in advising clients on a wide range of issues.
Jane takes a professional approach to every case, taking the time to understand the necessary requirements and offering empathetic advice that helps both parties to reach an agreement.
Jane is also a member of Resolution, a network of family lawyers committed to promoting a constructive approach to family issues.
Frequently asked questions about family law
What is family law?
Family law focuses on any legal matters that affect the relationships between family members and loved ones. Often, the focus on family centres on relationship breakdown, and the potential fallout from such an event, such as private law children disputes and arrangements for the division of finances.
Family law can also relate to matters which are designed to reduce the potential for conflict between couples, including pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
In some cases, family law can also relate to serious matters such as domestic abuse.
What does a family law solicitor do?
A family law solicitor’s main objective will be to help clients to understand their position, the options at their disposal, and what steps need to be taken to reach a resolution. Where required, a family law solicitor can work alongside you to help negotiate the best possible outcome for you and your family, whether through various means of alternative dispute resolution, or through the courts.
How much does a family law solicitor cost?
The cost of working with a family law solicitor will ultimately depend on the complexity of your case and the level of support you require.
Please note that we do not offer legal aid for family law matters.
We offer a free 30-minute consultation with our family law solicitor Jane Longworth, where you will get the opportunity to discuss your case and establish what support we will be able to provide.
Speak to our family law solicitors now
If you need clear, practical advice on divorce, relationship breakdown and any other area of family law, please get in touch with our expert family solicitors in Winchester, Alresford, Sunningdale or London Paddington today.
You can also get in touch by emailing us at info@taylorfordyce.co.uk, or by filling out our enquiry form.
Financial Matters
Finance Settlement procedure
What is best for you?
Outline of options for separating and divorcing couples
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