Family Law Solicitors in Stafford

At Pickering & Butters, our family law solicitors in Stafford understand how important it is to receive the correct advice when it comes to your family law matters. This is why our dedicated, professional and understanding family solicitors are always ready to listen and provide the clarity you need in order to move forward with your life in a positive way.

Whether you’re considering divorce or separation, or need assistance with any other family law issue, we’ll be there for you. With comprehensive experience in helping to resolve family disputes, you can rely on our local family solicitors in Stafford to provide exactly the expertise you need.

We can advise on family law matters including:

The advice you receive right at the beginning is vitally important, which is why we offer a free 30-minute no-obligation consultation. As some of the best family law solicitors in Stafford, we can deliver practical advice and provide clarity on what decisions you should make moving forward to avoid any confusion.

Get expert help from our family law solicitors in Stafford

Speak to one of our family lawyers in Stafford today by calling 01785 603060 or get in touch via email.

Our family law services in Stafford

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Alternative dispute resolution is a very useful method of helping to settle disputes outside of the court. It is also generally our family law solicitor’s first port of call in most cases. We use techniques such as mediation and arbitration to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family, whilst doing our best to avoid the stress of court proceedings.

Collaborative law

Collaborative law can be an effective means of handling a wide range of family law matters. We have had great success with this method, especially where disputes concern children or finances. Our collaborative law solicitors believe this method is excellent because all parties involved are committed to finding a solution through cooperation, rather than going through the courts.

Divorce & civil partnership dissolution

Making the decision to end a relationship is always difficult. At Pickering & Butters, our divorce and civil partnership lawyers’ main goal is to make this already strenuous time as simple as possible. We are committed to providing practical advice so you can make difficult decisions with a clear mind.

Finances

Our experienced team of divorce solicitors are experts at helping couples come to amicable financial agreements following a separation. The legal side of divorce is often quite simple, however, there can be financial hazards, which is why we always suggest receiving legal advice to protect your position.

Even if you wish to agree the division of finances amicably, it is still important to understand your rights and make sure that any agreement you reach is recorded. A voluntary financial settlement for divorce can be made legally binding by applying to a court for a Consent Order, which should normally include a Clean Break provision severing all financial ties between you and your former partner.

Children

Our dedicated team fully understands the emotional strain that is experienced as a result of child-related disputes, so we do our absolute best to minimise the emotional upheaval during this difficult time. We have found that communication is often the best solution to these kinds of disputes, so we try to focus on resolving things amicably.

However, should this not prove possible, we can assist with applying to a court for a Child Arrangements Order to clarify where your children will live and what contact they will have with a non-resident parent.

Domestic abuse

If you are having issues with a violent or abusive family member, please know that help is available. Our sympathetic and non-judgemental family law specialists are more than happy to get to work protecting you and your family, whilst supporting you in this incredibly difficult time. Where necessary, we can take swift action to protect you and your loved ones from immediate harm.

Pre- & post-nuptial agreements

Pre-nuptial agreements (created before marriage to protect you if you later divorce) are increasingly common. They can be a great option where there is a big difference in income and/or wealth between a couple, as well as where there are other issues to consider, such as children from a previous marriage.

When one partner's financial position has changed since the start of the marriage, or if problems have started occurring within the marriage, a post-nuptial agreement can also be useful. This provides the same protections as a pre-nup, but can be made at any time during a marriage.

Our family law solicitors in Stafford are here to guide you through the ins and outs of these agreements, whilst keeping you informed about the process from the beginning.

Separation deeds

When couples separate, they don’t always wish to file for divorce or civil partnership dissolution straight away. Our family law solicitors normally advise people in this position to consider a separation deed, which is an official document that sets out the agreement between you and your former partner. This deed covers aspects such as financial matters, child-related issues etc. 

Cohabitation agreements

People are often surprised to find out that couples who live together and are not married or in a civil partnership have no protections or governance when a relationship ends. Fortunately, cohabiting couples can avoid complicated issues by entering into a cohabitation agreement, which is a legal document that sets out what will happen to your money, property and personal belongings if the relationship ends.

Change of name

Changing your name or your children’s names using a Change of Name Deed is a relatively simple process. However, our family lawyers always recommend enlisting the help of experienced family law solicitors, just to make sure you avoid any pitfalls and that the process goes according to plan.

Annulments

Annulments are a means of ending your marriage in certain circumstances by declaring that it was never a valid marriage. A common misconception is that it is the same as divorce, however, it is an entirely different legal process. Unlike divorce, declaring a marriage void by annulment is retroactive, meaning you were never legally married.

Our family law solicitors in Stafford are here to help guide you through the process with as little fuss as possible, so you can move on quickly.

Why choose Pickering & Butters for family law advice in Stafford?

Free 30-minute consultation

To make the initial step a little easier, we offer a free 30-minute consultation on all family-related matters. There is no obligation and it gives you the opportunity to ask the questions that matter most. We’re here to give you practical and non-judgemental family law advice so that you can make an informed and clear decision.

Our competitive solicitors’ fees for family law

It’s completely normal to be concerned over costs. Your financial well-being is very important to us, which is why we ensure that our service is always of the highest standard with competitive fees that reflect this level of support.

Accessible family law expertise whenever you need it

Our friendly and experienced family law experts are always here to lend a helping hand, so don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can help with your situation. We are happy to advise you in person, over the phone, via email and through videoconferencing for your convenience.

Independently recognised expertise

We are accredited by the Law Society for our Family Law expertise, providing assurance that we offer a high quality legal service on which you can rely.

Useful resources for families in Stafford

Stafford Combined Court Centre

Stafford Combined Court Centre deals with family law matters for people in Stafford, including divorce, child arrangements, adoption and domestic abuse.

Family Focus

Family Focus offers practical support if you have at least one child under the age of five. The organisation works with you to avoid a crisis should you feel as though you are not coping with the stresses and strains of daily life. 

Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West

Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West can provide free impartial advice when moving home, however, this is not a replacement for a solicitor. Although the Citizens Advice Bureau can provide you with useful information, they will not be able to complete any legal transactions for you in relation to your family law matters.

Staffordshire Women's Aid

An award-winning charity supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence in Staffordshire, Staffordshire Women’s Aid can be contacted on 0870 2700 123 to provide specialist support, empower survivors to change their lives and plan for safer, healthier and independent futures.

Cafcass

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is the voice of children in the family courts and helps to ensure that their welfare is put first during proceedings. On their website you can find useful tools and information for children about family separation.

Contact our family law solicitors in Stafford

Speak to one of our solicitors dealing with family law in Stafford today by calling 01785 603060 or get in touch via email.