When a party fails to disclose assets in divorce proceedings, the courts are entitled to draw appropriate inferences from the non-disclosure. This was demonstrated in a recent case in which the Family Court described the husband's conduct of the...
If you’re facing family or relationship issues, you’ll naturally be feeling unsettled, confused and you’ll probably have lots of questions. Here at Pickering & Butters, you’ll find us ready to answer those questions and help you gain clarity with a way forward.
We recognise that the right advice at the right time and friendly, understanding support from people who are always ready to listen is just what you need at this time, which is why you’ll find us sympathetic and ready to listen. At the same time, we'll provide objective advice and guidance in reaching your desired conclusion.
Our friendly, dedicated family team can advise you on all aspects of family law, including:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Collaborative Law
- Divorce & Civil Partnership Dissolution
- Finances
- Children
- Domestic Abuse
- Pre & Post-Nuptial Agreements
- Separation Deeds
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Change of Name
- Annulments
Free 30-minute consultation
The advice you receive at the beginning of your case is always key. It may be that you simply need a chat to ascertain your rights, or to work out how a separation may affect your children, long before it’s time to start thinking about making it official or entering into discussions about financial matters.
That’s why we offer a free 30-minute consultation on all family-related matters. There’s no obligation and it offers the opportunity to ask the questions that matter to you. We’ll give you the practical advice you need so you can make a clear decision on your next steps.
Peace of mind on costs
We appreciate you may have some concerns over costs. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal with any type of legal service. Your financial well-being is important to us, which is why we assure our clients of expert, professional support at all times, whilst providing all our services with maximum efficiency.
Our services
Our family law services include:
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution, also referred to as ADR is an effective way of resolving legal disputes outside of the court. ADR can refer to many different types of dispute resolution, such as mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and more. This technique has become increasingly popular because it is often far cheaper and less time-consuming than going through the court system. Our family law solicitors in Stafford have extensive experience using ADR to assist a wide variety of clients with their legal disputes, no matter which issue they are facing.
Find out more about our Alternative Dispute Resolution services.
Collaborative Law
At Pickering & Butters, we view collaborative law as an extremely effective way of handling many different family law-related matters, such as divorce financial settlements and arrangements for children. Collaborative Law inspires a cooperative partnership between the two parties, asking them to work together to find a solution. In this way, it reduces the risk of contentious behaviours, making it much easier and quicker to reach a positive resolution.
Find out more about our collaborative law services.
Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution
Our team of dedicated family law solicitors in Stafford understand how overwhelming divorce/civil partnership dissolution proceedings can feel and are available to fully support you through the whole process. We’ll make sure that any worries or concerns you have are listened to and addressed, whilst handling the legal aspects of the case on your behalf.
We know that you will want to move on with your life as quickly as possible, so we will work diligently to ensure that every document is filed correctly to ensure that there are no lengthy delays.
Find out more about our divorce and civil partnership dissolution services.
Finances
Our team of family law specialists in Stafford have many years of experience assisting couples in agreeing on how to divide their finances following a divorce. We believe that it is incredibly important to keep our client’s stress to a minimum, whilst ensuring that you aren’t paying increased fees as a result of having to go to court.
This is why, where possible, we will always attempt to settle matters via a negotiated Consent Order, which is an agreement submitted on your behalf that makes any financial agreements between you and your ex-partner legally binding, preventing them from breaching this agreement later down the line.
Find out more about our financial services.
Children
Our family law solicitors in Stafford believe that working in children’s law requires an empathic and sensitive approach, which is why our family law specialists are fully trained in this area. We know that these matters can often feel overwhelming, so we take extra measures to ensure that you feel fully supported throughout whatever legal issue you are facing. There is no getting away from the fact that child-related disputes can be incredibly emotional and difficult, but thankfully, our solicitors are available to assist and address any concerns that you may have.
Find out more about our children services.
Domestic Abuse
Facing domestic abuse is something that no one should have to go through. Unfortunately, it is still a relatively common issue within the UK. If you are dealing with domestic abuse or harassment, please get in touch with our specialised family law solicitors in Stafford. Our team are non-judgemental and will be sympathetic to your issues, as well as working diligently to put immediate protections in place, such as non-molestation orders and injunctions to remove the abusive person from your home and protect your matrimonial assets.
Find out more about our domestic abuse services.
Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
Both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are becoming increasingly popular as an effective means of protecting your assets before or after entering a marriage or civil partnership. Our solicitors dealing with family law in Stafford have extensive experience in drafting high-quality agreements that protect your assets and finances, whilst keeping things amicable.
If you are entering or have entered a marriage or civil partnership and are considering getting a pre or post-nuptial agreement, please get in touch with our team of expert solicitors.
Find out more about our pre and post-nuptial agreement services.
Separation Deeds
Sometimes when a couple separates, they may not wish to immediately end the relationship through a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, either due to personal beliefs or religious reasons. In this situation, it is always highly advisable to seek guidance from a specialised family law solicitor, as even if you are living apart there will be certain caveats due to the fact that you are still married.
Our team of local family law solicitors in Stafford typically would advise someone in this position to get a separation deed (also known as a separation agreement) which is a legal document that provides a framework for the agreement that you and your ex-spouse have reached, despite remaining married. Our solicitors can help you outline how you would like your financial matters and assets to be treated in this case.
Find out more about our separation deed services.
Cohabitation Agreements
Unfortunately, there are little to no protections for unmarried couples who live together should the relationship end. However, our family law solicitors in Stafford are here to help. We are experts in creating exceptional cohabitation agreements that provide a framework for what should happen to your shared assets if your relationship ends. This also applies should one of the partners pass away or if there are children involved.
Cohabitation agreements are documents that outline how you would both like your assets and shared property to be treated in the event of a relationship breakdown, providing you with some protection in this difficult situation. If you are living with a partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, we highly recommend speaking to one of our family law solicitors to see what options are available to you.
Find out more about our cohabitation agreements services.
Change of name
Changing your name or the name of your child can often be a significant moment, and is typically a simple process that involves using a change of name deed. However, it is still recommended to have the support of an experienced solicitor whilst doing so, to prevent any errors or delays from occurring.
Our team of family solicitors in Stafford have experience in this area, having helped many clients change their names or the names of their children legally.
Find out more about our change of name services.
Annulments
Sometimes when a couple separates, they may not want to become divorced due to personal reasons or religious beliefs. In certain situations, it is possible to get an annulment, which instead declares that the marriage never occurred in the eyes of the law. These are relatively specific situations, for example if one person was under the age of 16. In certain circumstances, the marriage can also be voided, for reasons such as one partner being pregnant with someone else’s child at the time of marriage or if the marriage was never consummated.
Our family law solicitors will consult with you to determine if annulment is an option for you, if it is, we will be able to work with you to submit the annulment application and help you move on with your life.
Find out more about our annulment services.
Contact our solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley
Our friendly, dedicated team is waiting to help, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your situation.
For tailored legal advice on any family law matter, please get in touch with our Staffordshire solicitors in Stafford and Rugeley.
