Family Law
We are committed to you – our aim is to provide an understanding and constructive service. Our people are approachable and empathetic, providing support to our family clients, whilst ensuring that our clients’ individual rights and essential interests are protected.
The expertise within the Family Department ensures that our personnel are well aware of how difficult a breakdown of a family relationship, divorce or any conflict within the family can be. They are particularly aware of the impact on children in the family dispute and are mindful of their needs in resolving family matters.
Our service is tailored to your needs – We tailor our service to each individual client and their family’s needs, understanding the importance of working together. We ensure that we are fully aware of those needs, whether issues arise in relation to the method of separation, financial matters or issues in relation to children.
We have the experience and specialised knowledge – At Carter Bells, we recognise the need for specialised knowledge and advice when a family relationship breaks down, or there is a complex and delicate situation within a family. We have a wealth of experience in the department, including two qualified family solicitors who have practised in family law for over 20 years. We have members of the well-respected Resolution Family Organisation and an accredited member of the Resolution Specialist Family Panel with accreditations in both financial matters and issues in relation to children.
We provide alternative methods of resolving family difficulties – Our Family Department offers a specialist service of Mediation or Collaborative Law to assist our clients in resolving matters, without the need for litigation (court proceedings) which can increase the acrimony and difficulties within the family relationship. We provide Mediation or Collaborative Law in relation to all family issues including finance and children. Our alternative family resolution methods’ aim is to minimise conflict and deliver assistance to families at this difficult time. You can contact us to provide you with an assessment as to whether these methods of resolution are suitable for you and your family.
Mediation
Mediation is an alternative process, which enables parties in a family dispute to have control over their decisions in a process where parties treat each other with respect, with a view to minimising conflict. Our trained solicitor mediator will provide support and information to family clients to assist them through the mediation process and find a solution. The aim is to achieve a fair negotiated settlement with the minimal amount of damage to family relationships.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative Law is an alternative process where family clients work as a team with their respective solicitors, to reach a solution to their family difficulties. There is a series of 4-way meetings (with family clients and solicitors present) enabling the parties in a family dispute to negotiate with the security of their legal advisors present. The aim of our Collaborative Solicitors is to help our family clients to negotiate a settlement, minimising conflict, but ensuring that our client is advised on the process and settlement throughout.
You can consult us on any family matter including the following:
- Adoption (Private law)
- Child proceedings
- Co-habitation agreements
- Collaborative law
- Divorce
- Resolving financial/property matters
- Separation, dissolution
- Pre/post-nuptial agreements
- Married/unmarried partner
- Protecting your children’s interest
- Separation agreements
- Maintenance payments
- Pension rights
- Residence/contact with children
- Removal of children from jurisdiction
- Mediation
- Inheritance Act Claims
- Prohibited Steps Orders
- Children Applications
- Contact Applications
- Family law
- Matrimonial disputes
- Nullity proceedings
- Parental Responsibility agreements
- Paternity disputes
- Private law children
If you have a question regarding a family or matrimonial matter such as adoption, divorce or mediation you can submit an enquiry by completing our on-line form here.