Family Law Solicitors

Family dynamics are richly diverse, but complex too

Family Law

Family dynamics are richly diverse, but complex too. That’s why family law is an area that needs careful, considerate handling to achieve a positive outcome for each unique case.

Our team of family solicitors is carefully structured to ensure that you get the right level of legal, commercial and specialist support for the wide variety of legal issues that face modern families. With our adaptable, astute and creative approach, we ensure your family’s interests are protected in troubled times.

With the way in which families are structured – with second and third families becoming more commonplace, and the potential for assets and residences to fall across multiple countries more likely – untangling a dispute and reaching resolution can be fraught with complications.

Our family team is carefully structured to ensure that you get the right level of legal, commercial and specialist support for the wide variety of issues that face modern families. With our adaptable, astute and creative approach – we ensure your interests are protected in troubled times.

How we support you
We know that no two families are the same and we take the time to understand the intricacies and sensitivities of the situations that you face. We tactfully attune our legal advice to your family’s needs, delivering proactive solutions that are personal, yet commercial. Our family solicitors pride themselves on approaching each case with empathy, understanding, and minimal stress to you throughout the process.

Relationship breakdowns are not only emotionally draining but can be financially demanding if not handled with appropriate care. The family law advice we offer prioritises both personal reassurance and financial security throughout a challenging time.

We know that family law issues are often intertwined with other business and financial concerns. By looking beyond the immediate, we ensure that your personal and professional interests are protected both now, and long into the future.

Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
No matter whether in the UK or overseas, we defend, protect and represent individuals with their personal and professional needs by offering family law advice that is grounded in commercial intelligence. From divorce and separation, financial agreements, children disputes, issues of fertility and surrogacy, to cohabiting couples, collaborative law and mediation – we can help you, whatever the situation.

We are a Top 55 law firm that provides confidence, comfort and clarity to the challenges you face.
We pride ourselves on offering a personal touch, working with consideration and empathy to achieve the best outcome for you.
Our family law services span everything from divorce proceedings to child custody to financial settlements and more, so we’ll support you every step of the way.
We think beyond just legal solutions, advising on what’s possible, what’s prudent, and what’s coming around the corner

To find out more and how we could help you and your family contact us today for a free confidential consultation.

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Meet the team

The team is always efficient but never loses its friendliness, their advice was very clear, fees were as expected and the timeline explained and kept to. The team knows how to make clients feel at ease.

Family client, Nottingham

Key contact

Helen Bowns

Partner

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How our family team can help

Divorce - Getting a divorce or separating from your partner can be one of the most stressful and emotional periods of your life. Our divorce solicitors will support you throughout your journey so you can focus on the wellbeing of yourself and your family.

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.

Wills & Succession - 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.

Pre & 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.

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.

Fertility & 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, we’re on hand to support at every stage of your journey.

Mediation, Arbitration & Collaborative Law - 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

Jurisdiction - Our international family law solicitors are experienced in dealing with cross-border relationships. We will work alongside lawyers in other countries to secure the best outcome for you and your family if a relationship breaks down.

My solicitors Katherine Marshall and Stephanie Kyriacou, both addressed my case with such care and attention that I felt reassured every step of the way. They both showed compassion and care and really went above and beyond to ensure that I was not only successful in my divorce settlement but also that my mental wellbeing was accounted for. I feel very lucky to have had the pleasure of having two great solicitors working on my case

Jo C, London

4 s

Top tier ranked family lawyers in Legal 500 & Chambers

Nikki Aston is a truly approachable individual, no matter what the circumstance or situation. Nikki is always happy to help, advise and assist through whatever matters are required to be discussed as part of mediation. She always makes sure to keep an open mind and to remain impartial. I would definitely recommend Nikki for any future mediation based work

Claire M - Nottingham

Recommended lawyers in the Legal 500

The lawyers at Shakespeare Martineau are experts in complex financial remedy claims and well used to dealing with high net worth cases

Family client, Birmingham

Our family team is a leading firm in the Legal 500

Trained collaborative lawyers

Helen Bowns advised me on my divorce and has a complete grasp of matrimonial and child-related issues. Helen is sympathetic to the needs of the family and the calmness to step back and negotiate the best possible outcome in the circumstances. Helen retains the very rare combination of a full grasp of this area of work, being available when needed and ensuring that the client's interest is fully protected

Graham, Birmingham

Caroline Elliott adopts a pragmatic approach and is keen to avoid costly litigation where possible

Client, East Midlands

I traced Jane Charlton down as I had worked with her on similar issues 20 years before and I was keen to use her again. I was very pleased to have found her. She was spot on this time like she was before

Client, Buckinghamshire

Resolution accredited specialists

A member of

women in family law

Family guides | Helping you through

No matter what situation you and your family have found yourself in we are here to help and have put together a collection of guides and advice to support you.