For generations clients have turned to Gilbert Stephens for help at what can be particularly difficult and sensitive times. The law and the attitude of society to relationships and their breakdown have changed enormously over the years, but the issues and people involved are still handled with the same tact and understanding.
During these difficult times it's not always easy to cope with everything that is happening around you. Our experienced family team offers both practical and legal advice - we try to encourage a conciliatory and constructive approach to problems and make every effort to help the parties resolve issues without the stress, delay and expense of Court proceedings.
We offer a comprehensive service specialising in:
Separation and divorce of married couples, and the breakdown of relationships between unmarried partners including same sex relationships.
Related financial issues; including the family home, maintenance, pensions and other assets.
Issues regarding child care and custody, such as where and with whom the children will live, contact between children and parents (and sometimes other family members) and details about the way in which they are to be brought up.
Transfers of interests in property between partners and ex-partners.
Domestic violence and abuse.
Care proceedings by the local authority.
Written agreements between people intending to live together or marry.
Family Mediation Service
We also offer a family mediation service which is designed to ease the process of separation and divorce. It can help couples (married or not) to talk about and resolve issues connected with separation or divorce including arrangements for children, financial support and the family home. In order to find out more, please contact us for a mediation leaflet that fully explains the advantages of this service.
Subject to meeting the relevant criteria, the services of the family department may be provided free through a scheme operated by the Legal Services Commission.
