Family

Family-related legal issues can often be emotionally challenging and complex. Our team are experts in dealing with these matters and are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Our family and divorce lawyers help client across Kent, London and the South East. We advise on a full range of family legal services, from divorce/dissolution and related financial settlements to the arrangements for children and associated children matters. We also advise unmarried couples on the breakdown of their relationships.

We have particularly extensive experience in supporting high net worth individuals, dealing with matters involving complex asset structures and international elements. We help clients put in place nuptial or living together agreements, and advise on steps that need to be taken to protect our clients in need of or responding to injunctions.

Our team of family lawyers are legal professionals who are renowned for offering practical, clear and common sense advice and for providing compassion, empathy and a steadying hand in even the most unusual and complex of circumstances.

Our expert family and divorce lawyers in Kent are leaders in their field and our Family department is regularly recognised in rankings such as The Times’ ‘Top Law Firms’, Spear’s 500 Family Law Index and ePrivate Client’s Top Family Law Firms. We are also ranked as Band One in the Chambers legal directory and as Top Tier in the Legal 500.

Ending a marriage or civil partnership can be emotionally and practically complex. Whether you’ve made the decision to separate, or your partner has, our family lawyers can help you navigate the divorce process with clarity and compassion.

Our family team offers practical advice on every aspect of divorce and dissolution, including financial settlements, property and pension claims, business interests, international assets, and arrangements for children. We aim to reduce conflict wherever possible, helping you reach an outcome that feels fair and manageable.

As a full-service law firm, we can also support you with any related issues such as updating your will, managing financial settlements, or reviewing estate planning after separation.

To learn more about how we can help and the process involved, visit our dedicated divorce & dissolution services page.

Sorting out financial matters during or after a separation can be complex. Our family lawyers provide clear, pragmatic advice to help you reach a fair and lasting financial settlement that reflects your individual circumstances.

We can assist with all aspects of financial negotiations and remedies — from property, pensions and maintenance, to business interests and child support. For couples not yet ready to begin divorce proceedings, we can also prepare and negotiate Separation Agreements.

Wherever possible, we aim to help clients resolve financial issues through agreement, using options such as mediation or collaborative law. If court proceedings are required, our team will guide you through each step with clarity and care.

For detailed information on the process and how our team can help, visit our Finances on Divorce & Dissolution page.

When a relationship ends, deciding on arrangements for your children can be one of the most sensitive and important issues to resolve. Our family lawyers understand how difficult these discussions can be and will guide you towards practical, child-focused solutions.

We can help you agree where your children will live, how much time they’ll spend with each parent, and how key decisions about education, health, and travel are made. Our team also advises on relocation issues, financial provision for children, and applications to the family court where agreement cannot be reached.

Wherever possible, we encourage cooperation and constructive dialogue, helping parents reach arrangements that put their children’s needs first.

For detailed information about the legal process and the different ways to reach agreement, visit our Child Arrangements page.

Couples who live together but are not married or in a civil partnership do not have the same legal rights as those who are. There is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’, so it’s important to understand your position and take steps to protect it.

Our family lawyers can advise on cohabitation agreements to clarify ownership of property, savings, and other assets — and help prevent disputes if the relationship ends. If you have already separated, we can assist with reaching a fair agreement on how finances and property should be dealt with, using negotiation, mediation, or, where necessary, court proceedings.

Taking advice early can make a significant difference to both your financial security and peace of mind.

For more detailed guidance, visit our Living Together & Separation for Unmarried Couples page.

Many couples now choose to set out how their finances should be handled if they later separate. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can help protect assets, reduce uncertainty, and avoid conflict in the future.

Our family lawyers are experienced in preparing these agreements for individuals who wish to safeguard property, business interests, or inherited wealth. We provide clear advice on what should be included, ensure each party receives independent guidance, and draft agreements that reflect both your intentions and legal best practice.

Taking advice early helps ensure the agreement is fair, transparent, and more likely to be upheld by the court if ever needed.

For detailed guidance on the process and what to consider, visit our Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements page.

Separating couples no longer need to choose between handling a divorce alone or each appointing separate lawyers. Our One Couple, One Lawyer service allows both parties to work with a single family lawyer, helping to keep the process constructive, cost-effective, and amicable.

Led by trained mediators Kirstie Law and Desmond O’Donnell, this approach can cover every aspect of a divorce, including financial and child arrangements. Where needed, our team can also involve trusted specialists such as family barristers, pension experts, and valuers to ensure all matters are dealt with thoroughly.

This option suits couples who can communicate openly and wish to avoid unnecessary conflict. We will help you decide whether this is the right route for you and explain alternatives such as mediation or collaborative law.

For more information about how the process works and what to expect, visit our One Couple, One Lawyer page.

Collaborative law offers separating couples a way to resolve their differences without going to court. Both parties work with their own lawyers in a series of open, structured meetings designed to reach agreement through discussion rather than dispute.

Our trained collaborative lawyers — Joanna Pratt, Kirstie Law, Desmond O’Donnell and Helen Waite — guide clients through the process, providing clear advice and helping to keep conversations constructive and solutions practical.

This approach can be used to agree financial matters, child arrangements, or even prenuptial and postnuptial terms. It is best suited to couples who are willing to communicate openly and prioritise a fair outcome for everyone involved.

For more information about how the process works and whether it’s right for you, visit our Collaborative Law page.

Mediation offers separating couples a constructive way to resolve issues without the stress and cost of going to court. With the support of an independent mediator, you can discuss and agree on arrangements for children, finances, or property in a calm and neutral setting.

Our trained mediators, Kirstie Law and Desmond O’Donnell, help couples communicate openly and reach practical solutions that work for both sides. Where appropriate, children’s views can also be included through child-inclusive mediation.

Mediation can be quicker, more cost-effective, and less confrontational than court proceedings — helping families move forward with clarity and dignity.

For full details on the process, eligibility, and how our mediators can support you, visit our Family Mediation page.

If you or your family are experiencing domestic abuse, or if you have been accused of it, our family lawyers can provide urgent and confidential advice. We act quickly to help you understand your rights, secure protection where needed, and access the right support services.

Our team can assist with applications for non-molestation orders to prevent harassment or violence, and occupation orders to help you remain safely in your home. In emergency situations, protective court orders can often be obtained within 24–48 hours.

We understand how difficult these situations can be and will handle your case with sensitivity, care and discretion.

For detailed guidance on your options and how we can help, visit our Injunctions & Domestic Violence page.