Family Law Solicitors
At St Helens Law, our experienced team ensure that we understand the family matters that mean the most to you.
We offer a specialist team of family law solicitors in St Helens, each of which is on hand to provide the support you need, whenever you need it. Whether you are looking for family solicitors to help resolve a dispute regarding children, our divorce lawyers to assist you with the process or if you need support in reaching a financial settlement, we are the people to call. Our experts are well versed in providing the honest, straightforward advice you require during this potentially difficult time.
At all times, our mission is to help you to resolve matters as swiftly as possible, with the minimum stress for everyone involved. Our family law solicitors use our industry know-how to ensure that this doesn’t compromise the required quality of our service, as even though we strive for efficiency, we make sure conclusions are reached with the legalities in mind.
Divorce and financial remedies
When you choose to dissolve a marriage through a divorce, we understand that the process may not always be straightforward, and can present many difficulties and stresses for you and your family. With the support of our expert team of family divorce lawyers, we will ensure that the legal process is managed with the utmost professionalism – helping you to reach your desired outcome quickly and simply with little to no complications.
When resolving financial disputes, every case is dealt with on a totally bespoke basis. Every situation we are presented with at St Helens Law has its own set of unique facts, figures and circumstances, which we study intensely to be the best people to call upon during this period. We have a wealth of expertise in this area, and our experienced solicitors will help you resolve financial matters either by agreement, through mediation, or at court.
It is important that you are represented by divorce lawyers in St Helens who you can trust and who know the legal processes inside and out. At SHL we’ll provide you with all the advice, support and understanding you need.
Please Note:
- All divorces are issued on the basis of non-fault so any Divorce Petition applied for from 6th April 2022 is following this rule.
- Once the Conditional Order, formerly known as the Decree Nisi, is applied for we have to wait 20 weeks before we can apply for the Final Order, formerly known as the Decree Absolute, which is another 6 weeks.
Children’s custody arrangements and adoption
If you need any child custody services in Merseyside, then the family law solicitors from St Helens Law are on hand to help. We deal with all child dispute issues, whether they relate to a private dispute between parents, or even if there are complicated and sensitive child care proceedings ongoing.
When children are involved, affected family members and courts are often faced with some of the most difficult decisions they will have to make. Our experienced and highly knowledgeable team of family solicitors provides comprehensive child custody services in Merseyside. We are also able to assist anyone who is in conflict regarding children, or who harbours serious concerns about a child’s immediate safety and welfare.
Prenuptial agreements
A prenuptial agreement is entered into before you marry and sets out how you wish your assets to be divided in the event that your marriage breaks down.
Should you wish to create a prenuptial agreement as soon as possible, our team of divorce solicitors in St Helens can guide you every step of the way, providing you with all the support and advice you require. We will be sensitive to the needs of all parties involved and will help you to prepare an agreement that covers every detail, ensuring that all eventualities are considered.
Should your relationship ever break down, you can be sure that your prenuptial agreement will be written in such a way that ensures it is highly likely to be influential in court, providing all parties with reassurance and peace of mind for whatever the future may bring.
Domestic abuse
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you are not alone. The team of family solicitors at St Helens Law is here to listen to your circumstances and provide the help that you need immediately.
Subject to the details of your experiences, our team may be able to gain protection for you through the courts, through a non-molestation order. This legally prevents the abuser from using or threatening violence against the victim. Alternatively, we could seek an occupation order on your behalf, which will enable the victim to live at the family home, to the exclusion of the abuser.
Whatever advice you need, our dedicated family law solicitors in St Helens are trained to support victims of domestic abuse. We will act with the utmost sensitivity and will work in complete confidence to help the victim get the protection they need from their abuser.
“St Helens Law do not accept service by electronic means.”
Family Law FAQs
- Adultery
- Unreasonable behaviour (that your spouse has behaved in such a way that you can’t be expected to live together)
- That your spouse has deserted you for or at least two years
- That you have been living apart for two years and your spouse consents to a divorce
- That you have lived apart for five years
In brief terms, the divorce is started by one party (the ‘Petitioner’) lodging a petition with the court. This document (the ‘Divorce Petition’) sets out the details of the parties, the marriage and the grounds for divorce. If there are children, the court requires a further form (called a ‘Statement of Arrangements’) to be sent with the petition along with the court fee. Once received the court will send a copy of the divorce petition and other documents to the other party (the ‘Respondent’). The Respondent will then be expected to acknowledge service of the divorce petition. Once an acknowledgement has been received a judge will look at all documents and may decide to grant ‘Decree Nisi’. This is the first step towards obtaining a divorce and is the court’s acceptance that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. 6 weeks and 1 day from the granting of Decree Nisi the petitioner can apply for Decree Absolute. Once granted, Decree Absolute brings the marriage to an end. Between the stages of Decree Nisi and up until Decree Absolute the marriage is still legally binding. The parties should therefore make a will at the earliest opportunity. Before applying for Decree Absolute, the usual practice is to agree settlement of matrimonial assets as well arrangements of any children of the marriage.
Parties are encouraged to engage in amicable negotiations in an attempt to resolve matters quickly, cheaply and stress free. Sometimes parties are unable to resolve their differences through negotiation.
- By being named as father on the child’s birth certificate with the consent of the mother and the certificate was issued after 1st December 2003
- By entering into a parental responsibility agreement with the mother
- By applying to the court
- By being appointed guardian of the child
- By obtaining a residence order
- By marrying the mother
Parental Responsibility is not necessarily exclusive to parents. For instance, a grandparent can obtain parental responsibility as can a Local Authority.
To arrange a FREE initial consultation with our Family Law team, please call 01744 742360, or click here to email info@sthelenslaw.co.uk.