Hall Brown Family Law

www.hallbrown.co.uk

Manchester

0161 804 7000

[email protected]

Ship Canal House,

98 King Street,

Manchester, M2 4WU

London

020 3927 4500

[email protected]

1 Bedford Row,

London

WC1R 4BU

Sheffield

0114 553 4570

[email protected]

4th Floor Balm Green Wing,

Fountain Precinct,

Balm Green,

Sheffield, S1 2JA

Leeds

0113 841 9930

[email protected]

One Park Row,

4th Floor,

Suite 27 & 28,

Leeds, LS1 5NH

Birmingham

0121 798 1291

[email protected]

The Colmore Building,

20 Colmore Circus,

Queensway,

Birmingham, B4 6AT

Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution:

Assuming a couple has been married for a year then they are entitled to obtain a divorce or civil partnership dissolution. To begin the divorce or dissolution process it is no longer necessary to find ‘fault’ and you can simply confirm to the court that your marriage or civil partnership has broken down irretrievably. Hall Brown will endeavour, where possible, to work with their clients to help them agree with the spouse as to who will initiate the process. Having done so, the divorce/dissolution then usually becomes an administrative exercise with paperwork passing between the lawyers and the court until the couple are divorced.

However, for some couples, divorce is not the only option and as such Hall Brown are experience in also dealing with issues involving:

• International jurisdiction
• Nullity
• Judicial separation

Financial Settlements

When a couple separates, the finances can often be the most worrying and confusing area for them. Couples need to be careful to ensure they are not vulnerable in the short and long term but also that assets or income are not being attacked unfairly. The Hall Brown family law team is one of the most experienced in dealing with financial settlements and have particular expertise in the following areas:

• Family businesses
• Entrepreneurs (entrepreneur or ex-spouse/partner)
• Trusts and family settlements
• Pensions
• Ongoing financial support
• Child maintenance
• Sports people (sports person or ex-spouse or partner)
• Financial provision for children
• High or complicated income streams
• Inherited assets

Children and Family

When a relationship breaks down, many couples are able to agree where their children will live and how their time should be divided. For some, however, this can be one of the most difficult and upsetting issues between them. Hall Brown never lose sight of the fact that the child’s bests interests are paramount and that in many cases the parents will have to have some form of co-parenting relationship for many years to come.

Hall Brown specialise in the following children and family services:

• Resolving issues relating to children when a relationship breaks down
• Adoption
• Surrogacy
• Kinship and Public Law Proceedings
• Grandparent Support
• Financial support for children

Wealth Protection

For most people, getting married or moving in together is a big decision. One area that couples worry about is what would happen to their assets in the event they were to separate. Similarly, parents or relatives thinking about passing on wealth may wish to do so in a way that protects that wealth for the person it was intended for. Hall Brown can protect wealth by way of:

• Cohabitation Agreements
• Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements

Unmarried Couples

When a relationship breaks down - if a couple has lived together but are not married it can be difficult to know what the position is in relation to their finances when they separate. Hall Brown has the experience to take that history, consider those details and guide you through the process to secure an entitlement you might have or protect an asset being pursued.

Domestic Abuse and Injunctions

It is a regrettable reality that the breakdown of relationships can sometimes involve domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is defined as any single incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between individuals. This abuse can take many forms, including, though not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional harm. Hall Brown pride themselves on acting sensitively and swiftly in cases involving domestic abuse – whether to protect their clients from harm or to prevent false allegations from being made. The team has extensive experience in dealing with harassment and abuse and can support you through what can be an incredibly challenging time.

Mediation and Non-Court Dispute Resolution

Despite media coverage to the contrary, the court process should be – and often is – a last resort for family disputes. Hall Brown can guide you through the processes of:

• Mediation - A calmer, quicker, and more cost-effective way to resolve family disputes – without the need to go to court.
• Non-Court Dispute Resolution - This can be achieved through direct discussion, mediation, collaborative law, nearly neutral evaluation, Private FDR, arbitration and round table meetings.

From dealing with international jurisdiction within divorce and financial proceedings, taking children out of the country for a holiday or on a more permanent basis, factors concerning international surrogacy or even adopting a child from overseas, Hall Brown can offer advice, guidance and reassurance about how to achieve the best possible outcome.

Family Law to include:

• Divorce and Dissolution
• Financial Settlements
• Children and Family
• Wealth Protection
• Unmarried Couples
• Domestic Abuse and Injunctions
• International
• Mediation and NCDR

Manchester

0161 804 7000

[email protected]

Ship Canal House,

98 King Street,

Manchester, M2 4WU

London

020 3927 4500

[email protected]

1 Bedford Row,

London

WC1R 4BU

Sheffield

0114 553 4570

[email protected]

4th Floor Balm Green Wing,

Fountain Precinct,

Balm Green,

Sheffield, S1 2JA

Leeds

0113 841 9930

[email protected]

One Park Row,

4th Floor,

Suite 27 & 28,

Leeds, LS1 5NH

Birmingham

0121 798 1291

[email protected]

The Colmore Building,

20 Colmore Circus,

Queensway,

Birmingham, B4 6AT