Family Law
Our dedicated Family Solicitors in Chester are on your side and by your side to ensure that you receive straightforward and effective legal advice, suited to the needs of your Family.
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Resolution Members
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Our Family Law Solicitors have many years’ experience in helping families from all backgrounds to navigate a wide range of legal issues and are sympathetic to the situation in hand.
As a result, we are part of the few law firms able to provide advice on approaches to family issues, which means you can choose the option most suited to your family and circumstances.
Our Family Law Solicitors are members of Resolution, which means we are committed to dealing with complex family disputes in a constructive, non-confrontational manner.
When dealing with family matters we also understand that it is important to have affordable options and value for money. That’s why Rowlinsons offer different pricing structures that are tailored to your individual needs.
As a specialist firm of Family Lawyers in Chester, Rowlinsons has helped countless individuals to resolve complex family law matters. We provide legal advice and support for both married and unmarried couples, and all other types of families who may be facing legal proceedings for family law issues.
Whether you are initiating or responding to divorce proceedings, it is important to seek legal advice at an early stage, particularly if there is likely to be a dispute over finances, property or children as this can add complexity.
Where you are not married or in a civil partnership and your relationship ends, it can cause a lot of issues, especially as you have no legal right to each other’s property or other assets. Obtaining legal advice is therefore essential, and we can help you prevent future issues with solutions such as cohabitation agreements.
Disputes involving children can be extremely sensitive and here at Rowlinsons we understand this. We also understand the emotional impact on the children and hence their welfare is always at the forefront of our minds.
Domestic abuse can take many forms and we know how difficult it can be to recognise and to make the decision to reach out for help. We are here to provide the sensitive, practical support you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Prenuptial agreements, or prenups, are increasingly used by a wide range of couples when getting married as a way to protect their assets and give certainty for the future.
Ensuring your interests are protected in case of a relationship breakdown is vital, and you can draft a post nuptial agreement after you marry your spouse. Functionally similar to a prenup, a postnup can give you peace of mind about your finances in the future.
A highly effective non-confrontational option for resolving financial settlements and child arrangements, especially where there are more complex issues to consider.
Although not legally binding, separation agreements can be very helpful for couples who do not wish to commit to a divorce or dissolution, or unmarried couples looking to separate.
During the breakdown of a relationship, the split of assets and finances can be very stressful and should always be approached with the support of specialist legal advice.
You do not need to wait until a disagreement has escalated or court proceedings have started before seeking legal advice. Speaking to a family law solicitor at an early stage can help you understand your legal position, identify the options available and avoid making decisions without knowing their potential consequences.
Early advice can be particularly useful if your circumstances are changing and you are unsure what steps, if any, you should take next.
No. You do not need to have every relevant document available before making initial contact with a family solicitor.
It can, however, be helpful to gather any correspondence, agreements, previous legal documents or court papers that relate to your situation. A short written timeline of important events can also help your solicitor understand the background.
Your solicitor can then explain what further information or documents may be needed. If you have received court papers or anything containing a deadline, you should mention this as soon as possible so that any relevant timescales can be considered.
Usually not where the interests of the two people differ, or there is a significant risk that they could differ. A solicitor has a professional duty to act in their client’s best interests, and acting for both sides of a family dispute can create a conflict of interest.
This can apply even where you are currently on good terms and hope to reach an agreement. Having separate legal advice allows each person to understand their own position and make decisions based on their individual circumstances.
In many circumstances, yes. Once you have instructed a family law solicitor, they can communicate with the other person or their solicitor about the legal issues they are dealing with on your behalf.
Whether communication should take place through solicitors throughout the matter will depend on your circumstances. In some situations, limited direct communication may remain practical, while legal correspondence is dealt with separately.
Yes. If you are unhappy with your current representation or feel that another solicitor would be better suited to your needs, you can generally change solicitors while a matter is ongoing.
Your new solicitor will normally need to obtain the relevant file and understand the work that has already been completed. Changing solicitors can have practical and cost implications, particularly where proceedings are already underway or an important deadline is approaching.
If you are considering a change, it is sensible to obtain advice promptly so that you understand how the transfer could affect the progress of your matter.
Family law can become very complex, so it is useful for people going through proceedings in this area to remember that all legislation is tied into a handful of core principles that guide all legal decisions. Both Family Lawyers and family courts will consider these ideals in their decisions and ruling.
In all cases involving children, their best interests will be a priority for courts when it comes to an official ruling. Their well-being, safety, and development will be considered when making decisions about custody or other child law matters, as well as their individual relationship with each parent and their emotional needs.
In a relationship breakdown, the equitable division of assets, property, and debt is fundamental, and will not always be equal. Many factors are considered when making a fair decision, such as the duration of the marriage, and the contribution and needs of each spouse.
The courts will recognise the importance of maintaining a stable and nurturing family environment, especially in family law cases involving children. The minimisation of conflict and the promotion of healthy co-parenting are a common aim in rulings.
Family law strives to be inclusive and fair to all individuals. Regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or other characteristics.
As many family law cases involve sensitive personal information, privacy is a principle that must be upheld and respected by all parties.
Courts and legal professionals will always aim to offer legal remedies to individuals going through family law proceedings to be protected when necessary. These may include restraining orders, support to establish paternity, and the enforcement of court orders.
Understanding these key principles of family law helps individuals navigate the legal system effectively and make informed decisions regarding their family matters. It also highlights the importance of seeking qualified legal advice and representation to ensure their rights and interests are protected throughout the process. As specialist family court solicitors, Rowlinsons is renowned across the UK for their knowledge and experience in family law. Contact us today for an assessment of your case.
In the United Kingdom, family law is primarily governed by several key pieces of legislation that outline the rights, responsibilities, and procedures related to family matters. The main bits of legislation that oversee family law in the UK include:
The Children Act is a fundamental piece of legislation governing child welfare and the rights of children in England and Wales. It emphasises the best interests of the child and provides guidelines for matters such as parental responsibility, child custody, visitation rights, and local authority intervention to protect children, such as social services.
This act introduced significant reforms to family law in England and Wales. It covers various aspects, including domestic violence, occupation orders (regulating occupation of the family home), non-molestation orders (protecting from harassment or threats), and the enforcement of child custody and access orders.
This act legalised civil partnerships in the UK, offering legal recognition and rights to same-sex couples. It provides similar legal rights and protections as marriage, including financial matters, property rights, and dissolution procedures.
This act modernised adoption laws in England and Wales, promoting greater consideration for the welfare of the child. It introduced changes to adoption procedures, including prioritising adoption by relatives and step-parents and recognising the rights of birth parents.
The Family Procedure Rules establish the procedural framework for family law cases in England and Wales. They outline the processes, forms, and timelines for various family law matters, including relationship breakdowns and childcare arrangements.
It’s important to note that family law is a dynamic field, and legislation can change over time as new acts are introduced or existing ones are amended. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult up-to-date legal resources and qualified legal professionals for the most accurate and current information on family law in the UK.
We have set out some of the benefits of instructing our Family Department to act on your behalf.
This enables you to understand the options available to you as well as the costs.
We are proud to have achieved the Law Society’s Lexcel accreditation. This is only awarded to those firms who meet the highest management and client care standards.
We are members of Resolution, a national organisation of Family Law Professionals who follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems.
We can explain the process involved in litigation, mediation or collaborative law and ultimately identify the most suitable option for you and your family. Court proceedings can often be avoided with the support of skilled family solicitors, saving both stress and money.
We believe that all of our clients deserve great customer service and you will be advised by a solicitor with specialist knowledge.
We will avoid using legal jargon and will communicate with you in a way that meets your individual requirements e.g. email, telephone etc.
At Rowlinsons we pride ourselves on being friendly, approachable, and passionate about providing the very highest standards of client service. Our extensive knowledge of family law, and hands-on experience on all matters relating to it, give us an outstanding reputation across the UK.
Our Family Law Solicitors in Chester have been acting for individuals across the North West and North Wales for years, ensuring amicable resolutions and great results.
By choosing our Family Law team in Frodsham or Sutton Weaver, you will have a professional by your side who will fight to defend your interests in all situations, and always strive to maintain a friendly approach with all parties involved. We can often act for you on a fixed fee basis for family law services, so you are always aware of the costs involved from the outset.
We always aim to reach an amicable, quick resolution for all parties involved. However, you can rest assured that we will fight for you in any type of litigation when necessary. The Family Law team at Rowlinsons has years of hands-on experience in helping clients through complex court cases – and getting them the results they deserve.
As leading Solicitors in Runcorn, we regularly help clients throughout the Northwest region including St Helens, Widnes, Warrington, Chester, and Northwich. We are able to act for clients right across England and Wales, so talk to our team today.
Contact us for an initial no obligation call or click here for a call back. We also have meeting facilities in North Wales for Family Law clients.
The Head of Family Law at Rowlinsons Solicitors, answers some of the most common questions about mediation in this latest blog series. What is family mediation? Family mediation is an alternative way for separating couples and families to resolve disputes and difficult issues in an amicable way. Mediation works by helping people who have decided […]
A financial Court Order is a type of Order that can be made when two people get divorced, or dissolve their civil partnership. It sets out the financial provisions for each party in the divorce or dissolution proceedings. Decree Absolute is the Order which legally brings to an end a marriage (it is called a […]
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