Family

At Leathes Prior, our Family team can help you with advice and support whatever your family situation. We pride ourselves on our principled and straight forward approach and our excellent level of service. We aim to:

Provide you with practical advice as well as addressing the legal issues
Act with integrity and professionalism
Offer tailor made help suited to you and your family’s needs
Have the knowledge and expertise that you require
Follow the Resolution Code of Practice

Separation and Divorce

If you are seeking to dissolve your marriage or civil partnership or are considering separation you will have justifiable concerns about the implications and you will want to ask questions. At Leathes Prior we have the expertise to guide you towards the appropriate course of action with an aim to minimise any potential conflict and distress. The Family team has extensive experience in dealing with more complex financial issues including issues relating to family businesses, pensions and other complicated financial arrangements. We will work with you to give you and your family the best possible solutions.

Children

If you need advice on the arrangements for children or how to help your children through what can be a very difficult time then we will be able to assist. We endeavour to work with all our clients to put the needs of the children first, dealing with all issues including financial provision for the children and any practical parenting arrangements. Issues in respect of the children that may require resolving can be with whom will the children live and what arrangements will be put in place for them to see each parent. There are also practical arrangements such as the children’s education and any health needs and also how you can organise co-parenting in the future. We will be able to give you practical and legal advice about how to deal with those issues.

Pre-Relationship Agreements

If you are considering co-habiting with your partner or marrying or a pre-marital agreement or entering into a civil partnership you may well wish to consider a living together Agreement. The Leathes Prior Family team can explain the legal implications of entering into the relationship and the best way of protecting your assets. We will be able to assist you with drafting a document that sets out your future intentions and also gives you reassurance about the ongoing financial arrangements.

There are a number of ways in which you can resolve the various issues relating to the unfortunate breakdown of relationships and they are as follows:-

1. The Collaborative Law Process

Collaborative Law is a new and constructive approach to reaching legal agreements in a client focused, sensitive and dignified manner. It can be used for people who are starting their lives together, have children together or who are separating. The process is an alternative to court proceedings. Discussions will take place round a table in a series of open, honest and dignified meetings. More importantly, agreements are tailor made and focused on the priorities identified by the individual couple. The couple will work together with their collaborative lawyers with the aim of achieving a fair settlement that works for them and their family.

2. Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary alternative to litigation through the courts. Couples can discuss parenting issues and finances together in the presence of a trained mediator who can help them consider all of the available options. The mediator will ensure that the couple have the information they require to enable them to consider all of the options and therefore feel able to make an informed decision. The mediator is impartial and will not be able to give either party independent legal advice and so both parties would each require their own legal adviser to assist them through the process.

3. Traditional Negotiation/Litigation

Many cases do not require an application to the court. In the majority of circumstances matters can be resolved either through correspondence or round a table. Once an agreement is reached a legally binding document can be drafted and, if appropriate, approved by the court.

Unfortunately there are occasions when it becomes necessary for a party to formally issue court proceedings. If the negotiation process has broken down or there are concerns about assets not being disclosed then proceedings may be necessary. In those circumstances we have experienced litigators and advocates who will be able to prepare your case and present it in a very thorough and clear manner.

The Family team at Leathes Prior has the relevant expertise to resolve all of your outstanding issues using the particular process that works for you and your family.