Personal Legal Services
Experience and expertise to support you and your family
Supporting you through the legal issues that daily life brings
Our personal solicitors offer the experience and expertise you need to overcome the challenges you face in everyday life, from family matters to wealth management.
Whenever you require support and whatever issues need addressing, we can help. Our team comprises experts in a range of different specialisms involving legal advice and representation for individuals. Whether you need help with matters relating to family law, personal tax planning, or wills and succession, rest assured that we have the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve a resolution that works for you.
Our approach to personal legal services is dictated by your own individual circumstances. We work with you to understand your unique situation and goals before assembling a bespoke team that’s equipped to meet your needs. From our first conversations with you, we’ll provide respectful yet practical support to help you reach an informed decision on how to proceed.
How we can help you in life
We offer expertise in all aspects of personal law, enabling us to advise and represent individuals in a wide range of circumstances. Our personal legal services encompass:
Divorce and separation
If your marriage has broken down and you are looking to separate, you want the best outcome for yourself and your family. Our separation and divorce lawyers are right here to advise and guide you through the process.
Children
Parenting through a separation is never easy. Our team of experts are on hand to guide you through the process of making child arrangement orders, always ensuring the long-term interests of your children remain at the heart of every child custody decision.
Divorce financial settlements
Our Financial Settlement experts can guide you through the division of assets and help you to achieve a successful settlement that works for you and everyone involved.
Mediation, arbitration and collaborative
When a relationship ends, it doesn’t mean financial issues or child arrangements have to be settled in court. Our mediation lawyers can help you reach a solution that works for you and your ex-partner, offering you more control and flexibility over the decisions being made
International divorce
Regardless of your citizenship, if one of the parties to the divorce is resident in the UK, then it can be advantageous and far more simple to file for divorce under UK law. If your divorce involves residency in other countries, this can be a complex area of law and so it is important you choose lawyers with proven multi-jurisdictional experience to help ensure the best outcome for you, your family and your future.
Pre and post nuptial agreements
When you’re about to tie the knot, or happily living with your spouse, it’s difficult to imagine what would happen if you separate. We can give you piece of mind by preparing a robust pre/post nuptial agreement to protect your assets.
Wills and probate
It can be difficult to envisage a time when you’re not there to provide for your family. However, we are here to guide and support you with preparing a will so your wealth is protected for your loved ones into the future.
Trusts
Establishing a trust is often a sensible way to protect your wealth and maintain its value for the benefit of your loved ones over a long period of time. Our team of specialists will help you decide how to invest your money and benefit your family.
Powers of Attorney
No matter what age you are, making considerations about how your financial affairs and medical needs will be met if you lose capacity in the future is important. We can help you put a plan in place that works for you and gives you peace of mind.
Estate Administration
From obtaining the Grant of Representation to calculating the correct inheritance tax liability and distributing the estate to the correct beneficiaries, we will support and guide you through the complex process of administering an estate when a loved one has died.
Inheritance and Trusts Disputes
If you feel that a family member’s wishes have not been fulfilled, or you haven’t received what is rightfully yours, our specialist team can help you resolve your dispute, whether that is through mediation or negotiation, or court proceedings.
Charities
Leaving money to charity in your will can ensure your chosen charity beneficiaries reap the rewards of your hard work, while you benefit from the financial incentives too. We can advise you on the best way to structure and approach your charitable affairs.
Personal Tax Planning
We have been working with wealthy individuals and their families for many years so whether you are an individual or part of a family with or without business interests, our team offers personalised tax planning and preparation services tailored to your specific circumstances.
Court of Protection & Deputyship Matters
It can be difficult when someone you know loses the ability to make considered decisions for themselves. We can help you take positive steps to safeguard and manage a person’s affairs in the event they do not have powers of attorney in place.
Children
Parenting through a separation is never easy. Our team of experts are on hand to guide you through the process of making child arrangement orders, always ensuring the long-term interests of your children remain at the heart of every child custody decision.
Child maintenance solicitors
We can guide you through the process of ensuring children are front and centre of any child maintenance conversations, ensuring the outcome is right for you, your family and your future. We can also help if payments have halted.
Fertility and surrogacy
We are one of only a handful of law firms with specialist skills and experience to support you in growing your family. From the legal advice when using a surrogate to obtaining a parental order, our surrogate solicitors and lawyers are on hand to support at every stage of your journey.
LGBTQ+ Law
As part of our ongoing commitment to increasing access to legal services for all, we have developed a focus in answer to requests from the LGBTQ+ community for advice to be provided in an approachable, empathetic and non-judgemental way by lawyers that truly understand the issues they may face particularly concerning their personal matters.
Family and individual immigration
Your specialist legal advisor will advise you on the most appropriate visa route for your circumstances, guiding you through the application process from start to finish. We’re here to assist you at every stage, and can provide the legal expertise you need to obtain settlement and citizenship when the time comes.
Buying a Property
Buying a house and moving home can be a stressful process. Our specialist team will make your journey as straightforward as possible and guide you through one of the most important moments in your life.
Buy-to-let Services
Whether you’re a first-time investor, or already have a portfolio of properties, we can support you through the complexities of buying or selling a buy-to-let property.
Selling Property
Whether you’re selling a property privately or through an estate agent, our team of experts is here to help you with that process. From agreeing to the sale of your home and dealing with any buyer enquiries, right through to completion, we’ll support you every step of the way so you can embark on the next step of your journey.
Cohabitees agreements
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as ‘common law’, meaning many unmarried couples fail to recognise their lack of legal protection if they separate. Our cohabitation law specialists can help you prepare a legally-binding agreement to protect your financial interests.
Remortgaging & Refinancing
Achieve your financial goals effortlessly with our tailored remortgaging and refinancing services. Whether you’re seeking better rates, consolidating debts, or funding home improvements, we streamline the process for you. Benefit from personalised guidance, industry expertise, and a seamless experience.
Cohabitees agreements
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as ‘common law’, meaning many unmarried couples fail to recognise their lack of legal protection if they separate. Our cohabitation law specialists can help you prepare a legally-binding agreement to protect your financial interests.
Family
Dealing with the practical, legal and emotional process of a relationship breakdown is difficult and stressful enough as it is, without the added complexity of a pandemic. From family court hearings to financial divorce settlements and maintaining child arrangements, we can help you. Whatever the situation.
International divorce
Regardless of your citizenship, if one of the parties to the divorce is resident in the UK, then it can be advantageous and far more simple to file for divorce under UK law. If your divorce involves residency in other countries, this can be a complex area of law and so it is important you choose lawyers with proven multi-jurisdictional experience to help ensure the best outcome for you, your family and your future.
LGBTQ+ Law
As part of our ongoing commitment to increasing access to legal services for all, we have developed a focus in answer to requests from the LGBTQ+ community for advice to be provided in an approachable, empathetic and non-judgemental way by lawyers that truly understand the issues they may face particularly concerning their personal matters.
Fertility and surrogacy
We are one of only a handful of law firms with specialist skills and experience to support you in growing your family. From the legal advice when using a surrogate to obtaining a parental order, our surrogate solicitors and lawyers are on hand to support at every stage of your journey.
Family and individual immigration
Your specialist legal advisor will advise you on the most appropriate visa route for your circumstances, guiding you through the application process from start to finish. We’re here to assist you at every stage, and can provide the legal expertise you need to obtain settlement and citizenship when the time comes.
Pre and post nuptial agreements
When you’re about to tie the knot, or happily living with your spouse, it’s difficult to imagine what would happen if you separate. We can give you piece of mind by preparing a robust pre/post nuptial agreement to protect your assets.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- We are a full-service law firm with experts in many different specialisms, enabling us to construct a bespoke team that’s adapted to suit your individual circumstances.
- Recognised as a top tier firm in The Legal 500 2021, our team offers you the expertise of some of the finest legal minds in the UK.
- We build lasting relationships with our clients, putting your needs first and ensuring that you have the support you need to face all of life’s challenges.
- Our reach spans across the UK with 10 offices nationwide – by working with us, you’ll have access to the best legal support in your local area.
How our personal legal service works
Not everyone is aware of how the process of engaging a solicitor works, so we’ve provided an overview below to give you some peace of mind
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The first stage is to get in touch with us using the button below – you will then be assigned to one of our legal specialists. Alternatively, you can reach us on 0330 024 0333.
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You’ll then receive a free 15-minute consultation within 24 hours via Zoom or telephone to discuss the issues you’re facing.
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You are then provided with a transparent breakdown of our costs and, if you would like to proceed, we send you a pack of onboarding documents
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Following this, we will guide and support you through the process of achieving a resolution that works for you and your family.