Family Law2025-08-22T10:44:54+01:00

Family Lawyers: Collaborative Divorce & Mediation Specialists

We recognise that all family issues involve the things that are most important to you. We listen carefully, with empathy, providing legal and practical advice at a painful and difficult time. We will help you make important decisions to regain control of your life and plan for the
future.

Our Family Law Team, including our family solicitors, collaborative divorce lawyers and mediators are experienced at promoting a non-confrontational atmosphere, ensuring that matters stay as amicable as possible whilst achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.

Resolution

We are members of Resolution.  We follow Resolution Guidelines and believe in a constructive, fair approach to family law matters. Lisa Broddle, who leads our Family Law Team, is a Resolution-trained Collaborative Family Lawyer and an Accredited Mediator. She can provide you with alternative methods to resolve parenting and financial issues in Mediation or using the Collaborative Process, in addition to solicitor negotiation, legal advice during Mediation, and implementing agreements or applications to the Court when needed.

Considering Mediation?

Please contact us to arrange a:

Areas of Expertise

Resolution. First for family law

“The Family Law Team advises and supports our clients, helping with important domestic issues including, separation and divorce, arrangements for children, finance and property disputes in negotiations and in court applications. We have an outstanding reputation in this field of law.”

Twickenham & Teddington Family Solicitors

Providing first class legal advice throughout South West London and Surrey, for over 40 years

We Can Advise You On

  • Relationship Preparation:
    • Living Together Agreements
    • Pre-Marital
    • Pre Civil Partnership Agreements
  • Relationship Breakdown:
    • Divorce
    • Dissolution of Civil Partnership
    • Separation
  • Finances:
    • Maintenance for spouses and children
    • Transfer of Property
    • Lump Sum
    • Pensions
    • School Fees
  • Claims by Unmarried Partners:
    • Trusts of Land Act 1996 and Schedule 1 Children Act 1989
  • Your Children:
    • Parenting Plans
    • Child Arrangements Orders
    • Contact
    • Specific Issues
    • Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Collaborative Separation, Divorce, Finance and Child Arrangements
  • Mediation
  • Advice during Mediation
  • Wills and Inheritance Act Claims
  • Related Property Issues
  • Transfer of Equity Advice and Implementation
  • Declarations of Trust

Principal Contacts:

Annie Tanielian2022-05-16T13:02:25+01:00
Annie Tanielian

Annie Tanielian

Lisa Broddle2022-05-16T13:32:10+01:00
Lisa Broddle - Partner

Lisa Broddle

,

Please contact us to arrange a:

If you have a family law query please call us on 020 8891 6141

Or Email Here

Family Law FAQs

  1. Eligibility: Ensure you have been married for at least one year.
  2. Decide Who Will Apply: Decide if it will be a sole or joint application.
  3. Gather Information and Documents: Obtain your marriage certificate and collect your partner’s contact details.
  4. Fill in the Application: Complete the divorce application form online or by post. Always state you wish to apply for a financial order for yourself and any children.
  5. Submit the Application: Pay the court fee of £593 and submit the application to the court.
  6. Serve the Papers: The court will notify your partner about the application.
  7. Respond to the Application: Your partner must respond within 14 days, either accepting or disputing it.
  8. Conditional Order: Apply for a conditional order 20 weeks after submitting the application.
  9. Final Order: You can apply for a final order 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order, however do not apply for the Final Divorce Order until at least 28 days after the Final Financial Order has been made to protect marital assets, particularly the implementation of a Pension Sharing Order.

SRB can assist you in preparing and filing the necessary documents to ensure a smooth divorce process.

A financial settlement is an agreement or decision made by the Court or in Arbitration between divorcing parties that resolves financial issues such as property division, spousal maintenance, and pension sharing. The court should be asked to make a financial order to formalise the agreement.

It’s crucial to get legal advice to ensure a fair distribution of assets and any spousal or child maintenance. Relevant legislation includes the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which governs financial relief upon divorce.

Family Mediation, which is a voluntary process, helps you talk to your former Partner about your children and finances to find solutions together. Mediation is less stressful, quicker and more cost effective than a long, drawn-out Court Application.

Mediation is confidential and puts you in control of the time frame, agenda, and outcome. The Mediator helps you reach an understanding that works for you and your family. Lisa Broddle at SRB is an experienced Accredited Mediator.

A prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into by a couple before marriage that outlines the distribution of assets in the event of a divorce. While not legally binding in England and Wales, courts are increasingly willing to uphold prenuptial agreements, provided they are fair and meet certain conditions. These include both parties having received independent legal advice and fully disclosing their financial situations.

Spousal maintenance is determined based on many factors, including the financial needs and resources of each party, the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and the age and health of both parties. The court aims to ensure a fair outcome, balancing the needs of the recipient with the payer’s ability to provide support.

Child arrangements are determined based on the child’s best interests. The court considers factors such as the child’s wishes and feelings, physical and emotional needs, and the ability of each parent to meet these needs.

The Children Act 1989 is the primary legislation guiding these decisions. SRB can help negotiate and formalise child arrangements either in a Parenting Plan or Child Arrangements Order by agreement or determined by the Court or in Arbitration, whether through mediation or proceedings.

A Prohibited Steps Order is a court order that prevents a parent from taking certain actions concerning their child without the court’s permission.

This can include actions such as moving the child abroad, changing the child’s school, or making significant medical decisions. It is used to protect the child’s welfare and ensure that major decisions are made in the child’s best interests.

Legal aid is available for certain family law matters, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or child protection. However, eligibility is means-tested, and not all cases qualify. SRB does not offer legal aid.

More information can be found here on the GOV.UK legal aid page. We can apply for a Mediation Voucher worth £500 towards the cost of Child Mediation.

Guides & Leaflets

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