Family Law and Divorce Solicitors

Our dedicated team of family law solicitors can support you through important decisions about the future of your family.

We can advise on all areas of family law, from cohabiting and prenuptial agreements, to divorces and arrangements for children.

To help you understand your legal options at the start of the process, we offer a range of initial one-hour fixed-fee consultations – book an appointment online today or call us on 01622 690691.

Why choose our family law and divorce solicitors?

Our clients often come to us during an emotional and difficult time. Our family law experts understand that a sympathetic yet practical approach is needed to help you move forward.

We work closely with you to understand your priorities and concerns so that we can give you the best advice for your circumstances. We will help you to explore the options open to you and act in the most efficient way possible to minimise the impact of this stressful period.

All our solicitors are members of Resolution, a national family law group committed to resolving issues in a constructive, non-confrontational way. This means that, where possible, we try to help our clients to resolve their disputes by agreement. This can include using mediation or collaborative law.

We have a particular specialism in dealing with high financial value divorces and in providing expert advice where children are involved. We are also able to provide advice on matters that involve international or cross-border elements.

Recognition of our expertise

Our Family team is ranked highly for family law in leading legal directory Chambers and Partners. Heads of the team Mei-Ling McNab and Mark Leeson were individually ranked in the 2024 directory for their expertise.

Our family lawyers are also highly ranked by the Legal 500 directory, which named Mark Leeson, Sophie Read and Elliot Atkinson as a ‘Recommended Lawyers’ while Mei-Ling McNab was named as a ‘Leading Individual’.

The team has been shortlisted for the ‘Family Law Community Interaction Award’ at the Family Law Awards 2023 and have been named as one of the 2023 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms.

Several members of the team are accredited by Resolution as experts in mediation or collaborative law. Mark Leeson is a member of the Family Law Panel. He is also involved in the local initiative Supporting Separated Families Alliance: Kent, which aims to support families in crisis and keep them out of court by providing information in one place.

In 2020, Mei-Ling McNab was appointed as Branch President of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Mid, North and West Kent. She lends her expertise in supporting victims of domestic abuse, helping parents resolve disputes about children and all areas of family law.

Find out more about our awards, accreditations and partnerships that make us stand out from the rest.

How we can help

Simply expand the sections below for more information on the services and support available to you.

• Divorce and financial settlements

  Whether you are considering a divorce, your spouse has issued a divorce petition, or you need help negotiating a financial settlement, we can support you.

  We have particular expertise supporting clients with complex financial structures, high value assets or family businesses.

  Find out more about our how our divorce solicitors can help.

  Mediation and collaborative law

  We understand that ending a relationship can be complex, but that many couples want to avoid the time and expense of using the courts.

  Other forms of dispute resolution can help couples reach agreement without the stresses of going to court, and preserve cooperative relationships.

  Find out about our mediation and family dispute resolution services.

  Arbitration

  Family arbitration is another way of reaching an agreement without using the traditional court process. The parties agree to appoint an arbitrator who, like a judge, will hear the evidence and ensure that financial disclosure has taken place. The parties, through their lawyers, will provide financial disclosure and set out the case which the arbitrator will then consider, as well as the evidence from the parties before giving a ruling, known as an “award”. The choice to arbitrate must be one you both agree as once the process has started one of you cannot back out without the other’s agreement, and you agree at the outset to accept the award.

  The advantages of arbitration are speed, flexibility, confidentiality and the ability to choose an arbitrator best suited to deal with the specific circumstances of your case. Although you will need to pay for the arbitrator’s services, arbitration is more cost-effective than court proceedings. Our expert family lawyers advise on arbitration as an alternative to court proceedings and will work with you to find the most appropriate approach for your circumstances. 

  Children

  Our experienced child law solicitors handle issues efficiently and with sensitivity, to help you achieve the best outcome for your family.

  We can advise you on all matters involving children, including disputes about child maintenance, where a child should live and the time they should spend with parents and other relations. We can also help where a parent is considering moving with the children either within the country or abroad.

  Find out more about our child law services.

  Cohabitation agreements and rights

  Many people are unaware that living together does not give you the same rights as couples who are married or in civil partnerships.

  If you’re cohabiting, our solicitors can advise you on your situation, and help you draw up a cohabitation agreement to protect yourselves if the relationship breaks down.

  Find out more about our advice for cohabiting couples.

  Civil partnerships

  Our specialist family lawyers can advise you on all aspects of civil partnerships.

  If you are thinking of entering a civil partnership, we can help to draw up pre-registration agreements.

  If your relationship has broken down and you want to dissolve your civil partnership, we can support you through the process.

  Find out more about our advice for civil partnerships.

  Injunctions, including financial injunctions

  Our experienced solicitors advise clients who may need legal support from the courts in the form of an injunction.

  This includes clients who have experienced domestic violence, or those who want to freeze assets during a separation or divorce.

  Find out more about injunctions.

  Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

  Our solicitors can give practical legal advice on preparing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and draft them for you.

  We will ensure that you have considered all your circumstances and assets, giving you peace of mind for the future.

  Find out more about prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

• How to contact our family law solicitors

  Our family law solicitors are based in Maidstone and Canterbury and are ready to help with any legal advice you may require so please get in touch today.

  If you need guidance about your options, speak to one of our friendly team. You can call us on 01622 690691, book an initial fixed-fee virtual appointment or use our no-obligation online tool to get started at a time that suits you.