Family Law
At Silver and Ward, we are experts in all areas of family law and matrimonial law. Family law and matrimonial law are about families, and matters that affect families and individuals and their relationships. Within the field of family law are all kinds of issues, such as marriage, separation and divorce, as well as child adoption, child access and custody. Matrimonial law is a branch of family law that specifically deals with issues that relate to marriage.
The definition of a family was once very specific and clear cut: a husband, wife and children, made up the immediate family and the extended family included grandparents, brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles. The traditional concept of a family has changed and developed and the legal concept of family isn’t the same as it used to be.
The legal term “family” can now refer to civil partnerships and cohabitees. At Silver and Ward we specialise in divorce, separation, cohabitees, civil partnerships, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, civil partnership agreements, separation agreements and applications for child arrangement orders.
Clare Mayell has specialised in all areas of family law since she qualified in 1994. In addition, Clare is a qualified Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. The field of matrimonial law covers matters that relate to marriage, separation, divorce and child custody.
Because the law recognises that not all intimate relationships involve marriage, this field of law also covers matters relating to civil partnership and long term marriage like relationships.
At Silver and Ward we can advise you on:
- Prenuptial and postnuptial marriage agreements, civil partnership agreements and cohabitation agreements
- Separation and divorce
- Property rights, asset distribution and financial settlements
- Child Arrangement Orders
- All children act applications
- Child maintenance
- Adoption
In most cases, disputes in family law don’t reach the point where the Courts get involved. At Silver and Ward we pride ourselves in trying to reach an amicable solution for clients, and that Court should be the last option.
We can provide help in many different ways, for example:
- Provide legal advice for someone who is involved in a family law dispute, such as, divorce or child custody dispute.
- Draft legal documents and complete and file forms pertaining to a family law matter, for example a separation agreement or cohabitation agreement.
- Provide assistance in advocacy for someone who is going through the Collaborative Law process or attending the Family Court.
- Help someone negotiate settlement terms after a separation or divorce.
- Help someone apply for a specific kind of Court Order, such as a Child Arrangement Order or financial settlement.
- Help an individual, or couple, through the process of adopting a child.
We offer a free first appointment and are one of the only Solicitors to do so.