Divorce & Family

Choosing to go ahead with a divorce, or the dissolution of your civil partnership, is often one of the hardest decisions you will make in your life. We are here to listen to your needs, and proceed in a way that works for you, to achieve the best possible outcomes in a discreet and professional manner.

Following a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, your financial relationship will continue with your former partner unless it is ended by a separate Court Order.

We can advise as to what would be a suitable financial settlement dependent upon the unique circumstances of your case and conduct negotiations on your behalf.

Our breadth of experience in settlements ranges from small, straightforward cases up to extremely complex negotiations acting for spouses with substantial business assets, property portfolios, complex pensions, farming businesses or international ties.

Nuptial agreements continue to grow in popularity and are a sensible consideration to determine how assets are shared should you separate, divorce or dissolve your civil partnership. Whether you are planning your wedding or already married we will work with you to prepare an agreement that will reduce financial and emotional stress should your relationship breakdown and if you have children, ensure that they are provided for.

Nuptial agreements are also a very important part of financial planning, should you wish to pass assets to your children, protect pre-acquired assets and businesses and/or have or are about to receive assets by gift or inheritance.

Whilst these agreements are not binding as such on the divorce courts, they will be upheld if they are considered fair and reasonable in the prevailing circumstances.

Our specialist children team have expertise in a wide range of issues including living and contact arrangements, maintenance disputes and interventions from the local authority. We know the importance of working quickly to resolve matters, whilst keeping the welfare of the child first.

Find out more about our specialist children's services.

Unfortunately, the breakdown of a relationship can lead to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. When this happens, we will work quickly and determinedly to protect you and/or your children and make an application to the Court for an injunction to protect you against a violent partner, which may include excluding a violent partner from a property or protecting your financial assets pending a settlement or Court order.

If you need any advice or assistance with this matter, get in touch.

Whilst marriage or civil partnerships may not be your thing, you and your partner may have may have bought a property together, had children or even entered into a joint venture.

There is a general misconception as to the myth known as “common law marriage”. It is important to understand that if the relationship comes to an end you do not have the same rights as couples who are married or couples in civil partnerships.

We can advise on co-habitation agreements to protect your assets and also offer pragmatic legal advice if no such agreements have been drawn up.

Fiona Ryans is one of only a handful of lawyers in the North East trained to advise both parties jointly in a separation or divorce, keeping costs down and helping resolve matters quickly and pragmatically.

One of the unique advantages of this approach is the ability to discuss matters outside the traditional court arena and tailor an outcome which is appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Read more here.

Through collaborative law, couples, their lawyers and other professionals work together in round table meetings to negotiate agreements to resolve financial and other issues arising from relationship breakdowns, without the involvement of the courts.

It is suitable for couples who have a genuine desire to find a solution for the whole family, and who are willing to disclose information about their finances in a full and honest manner. Couples benefit from having their own legal advisor, but they set the agenda and the pace, because they are not governed by court rules or timetables.

Read more here.

We will discuss all of your available options in resolving a dispute from the outset considering the merits of any claim and the tactics to properly approach a matter. Mediation can be a truly effective way of resolving matters, be it related to issues surrounding financial matters or children. We work closely with a number of expert mediators and can arrange initial meetings (known as Mediation Information Assessment Meetings or MIAMs) and attend mediation sessions with you.

If matters are not able to be resolved through mediation it may be appropriate to consider arbitration as an alternative to the Court process. This would involve agreeing on the identity of an arbitrator (who is usually an expert in the field of dispute), the location(s) and the dates the arbitration is to take place. Arbitration often has the advantage of being a far quicker route than the Court process, in addition to being private, which is often paramount for our clients in the public domain.

Whilst Court proceedings in family matters should normally be considered a last resort, if it is not possible to settle a case, we are experienced, skilled, and tireless litigators who will provide you with objective and tactical advice throughout the proceedings. We also work closely with experienced Barristers who we can call upon to assist you no matter the issues or the timing of our instruction.