Families

We have a large team and offer:-

• Flexibility
• Consistency in who handles the case
• Experienced solicitors
• Central city location

We can help you by being flexible with appointment times, providing the professional service that you need. Our expertise and conciliatory approach means that we can help you minimise cost and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family. We seek not to inflame tension between parties but fight hard to get the best results f or you.

One person will handle your case throughout to ensure consistency, but with the wide support network we have in place, you will always be able to get a response and help when you need it. We also have expertise in business and property law should this be required.

Many of our solicitors are members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association). We are committed, where possible, to a conciliatory approach. We can help you through this difficult time. Our fair, reasonable, yet firm approach will guide you safely through this whole process.

Our offices are located in the centre of Birmingham, well within easy reach of mainline train stations, bus links and also the court, itself.

You may have a question? We would be delighted to help contact us

Our Services to Families and Children

It is highly likely that you may have questions before going on to formally instruct us. Our team deals with hundreds of clients over a wide range of family problems. These include:-

• Divorce and separation
• Dividing assets and agreeing maintenance
• Civil partnership queries / cohabitation disputes
• Pre-marital/Co-habitation advice and agreements
• Children and their welfare
• Parental responsibility
• Grandparents advice
• Advice for foster carers and adopters
• Assisting children's guardians and their parents
• Change of Name deeds for adults and children

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a solicitor?

   If you are considering separation, divorce or are having difficulties in agreeing arrangements for your children, it is advisable to obtain some general advice from a family solicitor who can help you to focus on the options available, helping and assist you in agreeing the way forward, preferably without having to go to court. We can help you with this or refer you to an organisation such as Relate or Birmingham Mediation so that you can talk through the issues with a neutral and independent person.

2. Do I qualify for Legal Aid?

   To see if you qualify for legal aid, you can access the eligibility calculator by clicking on the link here

3. How much will it cost?

   We have a range of experienced solicitors, legal executives and paralegals. We have a range of private fees from £70.00 per hour to £200.00 per hour. A straightforward divorce can cost in the region of £700.00 to £1000.00 plus VAT. This includes court fees of £340.00. We will discuss this with you in more detail when we meet. You may be able to recover some of your costs from the other party. If there are complex financial issues to resolve, costs can escalate. It is very important to us to keep you properly informed and to talk about this before any work is carried out.

4. How do I make an appointment?

   contact us or telephone the office on 0121 200 3242 so a member of staff can take further details from you and make a convenient appointment.

5. How long will my divorce/separation take?

   Much will depend on the responses received from your wife/husband. If there is an agreement to the divorce, in Birmingham, it can take only 5-6 months to complete the mail suit (the divorce itself). This does not include the financial settlement, which is separate and can take longer.

6. Will I lose my home, money or other assets?

   To be able to advise you fully, we will full need information from you and your wife/husband. There are a number of remedies available to you. These include you remaining in your home, selling it or transferring it to your ex-spouse in return for a lump sum. The court would consider all of your assets and look at each case individually to see how the matrimonial assets should be divided. If there are children, their needs will be the paramount consideration.

7. Can I be forced to leave my home?

   If there are issues of domestic violence, a party could be required to leave the home under an Occupation Order or Non-Molestation injunction. Your wife / husband cannot force you to leave without a court order. If your property is held in your joint names, the locks cannot legally be changed without a court order. We can apply for an order for you to be allowed back in to your home, if you have been excluded, even if the property is in your spouse's sole name and they have prevented you from returning. If you are concerned about this, please contact us immediately so we can respond appropriately.

8. How much child support will I have to pay?

   The CSA has a formula, which is currently based on your net income and the number of children you have. Net income is your gross income minus tax, national insurance and pension contributions.

   If you have: -

   1. child - 15% of your net income
   2. 2 children - 20%
   3. 3 or more children 25%.

   There is a cap on the amount to be paid if your salary exceeds £2000 gross per week. In those circumstances, the person with care of your child (ren) can apply to the court for a "top up" order, if there are financial proceedings before the court. www.csa.gov.uk

9. Do I have any rights as a common law wife/husband?

   Despite what you hear or see in the media, there is no such thing. You do not acquire rights to property or income as a common law wife/husband. If you are living together, there are a number of ways that you may obtain an interest in your partner's property. If you are a joint owner of property, you will already have a legal interest. If not, we would need information from you before we could advise you as to any potential claim that you may have. If you have children, there will be other remedies available to you if you are concerned about your home, or where you may live in the future if your relationship has broken down.

10. If I do not have parental responsibility (PR) for a child, what rights do I have?

    If you are enjoying regular contact with your child (ren), you can apply for PR for them. You can agree this voluntary through a PR agreement or, you can apply to the court to obtain it, if no agreement can be reached. Without PR, you do not have the right to be consulted on the major decisions being made in your child's life. You can still approach the court about issues such as schooling, changing your child's name or religion,etc.

11. I am a grandparent raising my grandchild, how can I make this official?

    There are various ways of ensuring that you can continue to care for your grandchild. A common method is to ask the court for permission to apply for a Residence Order. A Residence Order is an order of the court that a child resides with a named person or persons. We can help and will discuss the many options available to you.

12. I am worried about my grandchild - what can I do?

    Where possible you should speak to the parents to discuss your concerns This may resolve the issue. Ultimately you may contact your local social services department for assistance. If you are, yourself, caring for your grandchild, you can formalize the arrangement. Please see FAQ 13.

13. My child is stopping me from seeing my grandchild, can you help?

    Although parents have a right to make decisions about their children's upbringing, including whom they can see, a child has a right to enjoy family life including reasonable contact with relatives and grandparents! In many cases trying to talk with your family, perhaps using other family members, can resolve these difficulties. If problems remain you may wish to seek legal advice with a view to making an application to the court for an order for contact with your grandchild. As with most family cases legal proceedings should be seen as a last resort.

14. Social services are involved with a child in my family, what can I do?

    In the first instance you should consider trying to work in a co-operative manner with the social worker to see if any issues surrounding the welfare of your children can be resolved and any intervention by social services concluded. If you are not able to agree with the social worker's plans for your child then there are various approaches that can be taken including you seeking legal advice from a family solicitor. If social services make an application to the court regarding your child we would urge you to seek legal advice without delay.

Making a difference

Our approach

• Friendly
• Straight talking
• Supportive
• Realistic and practical advice
• A wide range of services provided under one roof

Our networks

We have developed excellent relationships with a range of support organisations and networks that could assist in the way we handle your case. You may wish to browse some of the useful and informative websites below:

• Relate
• Birmingham Mediation
• Other support networks
• Judiciary
• Legal Services Commission
• CSA
• Court Service

Our People

Our family and childcare department currently consists of three partners, five solicitors, two legal executives, one legal assistant and a trainee together with support staff.

• Elizabeth Wyatt
• Ian McQuay
• Peter Baldwin
• Alan Bean
• Julie Bevan
• Natasha Foster

Case Studies and Testimonials

Here is a selection of recent feedback from our clients about the services we provide:

• "You are the best"
• "Excellent efficient service"
• "I thought the advice I was given and your work was excellent. no weakness' at all"
• "informed of everything, polite, excellent service"
• "you've been the best solicitors I've had dealings with I would recommend you to anyone needing a family lawyer anytime. Hope I can call you in the future as a friend instead of just another client"
• "everything was excellent, could I say thank you to everyone involved with my granddaughter, words cannot explain how I feel, thank you"

On a recent case involving a child's Guardian

• "I would recommend you to anyone else...I particularly valued the fact that there was a supportive and knowledgeable team around the instructed solicitor who was invariably helpful when he was not available, and relayed messages efficiently"

Recent Developments

Please visit here and select from our recent briefings.

For relevant articles in the press covering issues relating to family and matrimonial matters, please refer to our news section.

Useful Links

For some useful links, visit our links page.