Family Law and Divorce Solicitors

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Family law and divorce

Most people need professional advice during a divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership, or permanent separation.

Napthens has specialists on hand to provide realistic advice and guidance, no matter how complicated the issue you face. You might have children or complex personal or business financial issues – such as high value assets or complex pension arrangements – to consider.

As experienced family and divorce solicitors, we recognise that your situation and your particular needs are unique, so our aim is always to achieve the very best outcome for you.

We are well known for our excellent results, combining sharp negotiation skills and technical excellence with a deep understanding of the issues and providing a service that is not only professional and straightforward, but also compassionate.

All members of our team are members of Resolution, whose code of practice encourages the resolution of disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational way.

We accommodate clients across England and Wales using virtual meetings where necessary, in order to provide the best support wherever you live.

How Napthens can help

Napthens’ team of experts will sensitively support the aims for every personal situation, ensuring the outcome is one you are completely satisfied with.

We’ll clearly explain the best route and ensure you can move onto the next chapter of your life as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Among the services we offer are:

Child arrangement orders
Civil Partnership dissolutions
Cohabitation agreements
Collaborative law and divorce
Divorce
Divorce financial settlements
Family arbitration services
Pre and post marital agreements
Separation agreements
Sharia and Islamic divorce and marriage recognition

Watch our podcast on starting the divorce process

Costs and initial consultation

We understand that one of the first questions many people have is how much legal advice will cost. We aim to be clear and transparent about fees from the outset and will discuss likely costs at your initial meeting.

We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation with one of our specialist family lawyers, giving you the opportunity to receive tailored advice and understand your options before deciding on any further steps.

The cost of an initial consultation is between £355 + VAT and £480 + VAT depending on the seniority of your chosen solicitor. All meetings require identity verification through Thirdfort, which costs £24.

Your consultation includes up to one hour of specialist family law advice together with a detailed written advice note setting out the options available to you and the potential next steps. We will also provide an indication of the likely future costs involved in your matter.

Where you require advice in relation to finances, property, pensions or other financial claims arising from divorce or separation, fees are usually charged on a time spent basis. The overall cost will depend on the complexity of the issues involved, the value and nature of any assets, and whether matters can be resolved through negotiation or require court proceedings.

FAQs

How much does a divorce cost?

We offer a fixed-fee initial consultation so that you can receive specialist legal advice and understand your options before deciding on any further steps. The overall cost of a divorce or family law matter will depend on the issues involved, including whether there are disputes concerning finances, property, pensions or arrangements for children. We will discuss likely costs with you at the outset and keep you informed throughout your matter.

Do I need to go to court to get divorced?

In many cases, it is possible to complete the divorce process without attending court. Where disagreements arise regarding finances or arrangements for children, court proceedings may become necessary. However, we always explore appropriate alternatives first, including negotiation, mediation, collaborative law and arbitration wherever suitable.

Can I get divorced if we still live together?

Yes. Many couples continue living in the same property during the divorce process for financial, practical or family reasons. Living together does not prevent you from applying for a divorce and does not necessarily affect your ability to resolve financial matters arising from the breakdown of your marriage.

How are assets divided in a divorce?

There is no automatic rule that assets are divided equally in every case. The court will consider a range of factors, including the length of the marriage, the financial resources available, each person’s needs, contributions made during the relationship and the welfare of any children. We can advise you on what may be considered a fair outcome based on your individual circumstances.

What happens to pensions in a divorce?

Pensions are often one of the most valuable assets within a marriage and should not be overlooked during a financial settlement. Depending on the circumstances, pensions may be shared, offset against other assets or taken into account in other ways when reaching a financial agreement. We can provide specialist advice on the options available and help ensure pensions are properly considered.

How are arrangements made for children after separation?

Most parents are able to reach agreements regarding where their children will live and the time they spend with each parent without the need for court proceedings. Where agreement cannot be reached, a Child Arrangements Order may be required. The welfare of the child will always be the court’s primary consideration, and we will work with you to achieve arrangements that are in your child’s best interests.

Can unmarried couples make financial claims against each other?

Unmarried couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples or civil partners when a relationship ends. However, financial claims can sometimes arise in relation to property ownership, financial contributions or arrangements concerning children. If you are separating after living together, we can advise you on your rights and the options available to protect your position.

Can I protect assets before getting married?

Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements can help couples clarify how assets, businesses, property and inherited wealth should be dealt with if the relationship later breaks down. While not automatically binding in England and Wales, such agreements are increasingly upheld by the courts when properly prepared and considered fair.

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Sally has been a brilliant and professional support throughout my case. I trust her judgement completely. Sally takes time to understand the case and advises respectfully and honestly. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sally and Napthens, and I wouldn't use anyone else. Trustworthy and knowledgeable Sally is the best.

Jen Morton

The training provided to my staff has proved to be very useful and has enhanced confidence in dealing with parental conflict and child protection issues…I would not hesitate to recommend Napthens.

David Hoyle, Owner, Happy Days

A huge thank you to Helen Lucking for her advice and guidance. Helen has helped immensely as we navigated through a considerably lengthy family law issue.
I couldn't recommend her and Napthens enough.
I have instructed a few local solicitors over the years, but Helen is ahead of all.

Jonathan Green

Helen was fantastic. Very clear, professional and understanding. Executed admin brilliantly. Highly recommend for what was a stressful time in my life.

William Hodgson

Excellent service for Divorce, conveyancing and will.
I chose Napthens (Helen Lucking) to deal with my divorce because they have an office in Lytham so convenient and easy parking available. The service I received from Helen was not only professional but also her handling of my divorce was dealt with care and understanding and I felt she represented me perfectly in how she handled all the nonsense my ex flung at me. I felt completely at ease and the fees were very reasonable too.
At the same time I used their conveyancing department and wills department, so all in all Napthens were able to deal with my divorce, property transfer and my will all within one office. I wouldn’t hesitate to contact Napthens should I need a solicitor in the future.

Susan Alexander

A massive thank you for all of your help, support and guidance. You have guided me really well through a tough couple of years and managed to stop me from my impulsive tendencies. Which, ultimately has led to the best possible outcome for me and the children.

Anon