Family Law

Family related legal matters are often particularly sensitive and emotionally complex.

DMH Stallard family law solicitors are expert legal professionals, experienced in dealing with family, child, relationship, divorce and separation cases. With the right mix of strategic and rational advice backed up by a measured and friendly approach we'll be by your side every step of the way.

"You are dealt with compassion and understanding from outset. The emotional roller coaster is hard to navigate but the team is great and helps you think and see clearly. They have a pragmatic approach but give good, clear and sound advice."

Legal 500 2024


What our family law solicitors do

 

We cover the full range of family legal services, from pre-nuptial agreements to no-fault divorce and related financial disputes and settlements. We also help clients reach agreements about child arrangements. When needed we step in to provide urgent protection from harassment.

The highly personal nature of family law cases means you’ll work closely with us through what may occasionally be a stressful and uncertain time. But our team will always give you clear and objective advice to help you achieve the outcomes you need.

What they say

"DMH Stallard is incredibly professional and their client service and support has shone out from the very first meeting to the last."

Chambers & Partners UK 2024



Our core family law services are:

  We advise on all aspects of no-fault divorce and separation law, including negotiation of financial settlements and enforcement of financial orders both in the UK and overseas. We also provide assistance to those who need protection from harassment, seeking occupation orders and non-molestation orders when the situation demands. Our solicitors are regarded as leading specialists in divorce, matrimonial and family proceedings domestically, for matters with international elements and for those individuals with high value and complex financial arrangements. Following divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership questions about where your children will live, when they will spend team with each parent and the type of contact that can take place are all top of the agenda. If parents can’t agree matters, the family court will always put the welfare of children first when deciding appropriate arrangements.
 
Our child law work covers post-divorce living arrangements for children as well as securing maintenance and financial support for children whose parents are unmarried. Our international expertise means we can offer bespoke advice if a parent wishes to move abroad with the children. If appropriate we can pursue or defend international abduction proceedings on your behalf.
 
We take a pragmatic approach, encouraging agreement where possible but advising you on the steps needed to start court proceedings if necessary.
  Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are now commonplace in the UK and are a useful tool to help preserve personal and family wealth in the event of divorce or civil partnership dissolution. If you are considering an arrangement like this, it’s important to get advice at an early stage. Pre-nuptial agreements must be formalised well in advance of any marriage for example, and there are other requirements too such as ensuring that each side receives independent legal advice that you need to be aware of.

Our family lawyers have extensive experience in drafting and finalising pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements (where there has not been time to execute an agreement before marriage). We have particular expertise in advising clients with substantial business and personal assets in this country and overseas.         


How we've helped

Advising high net worth individual on cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements

Our client had substantial capital assets and sought advice on what kind of financial claims could be made by a cohabitee on the one hand and a spouse on the other in the event of a relationship breakdown. He wanted to know if he should enter into a pre-nuptial agreement ahead of his marriage and needed specialist advice on the law surrounding nuptial agreements in England and Wales.
 
Because of the value of the assets, highly technical tax and trust law advice was required. This enabled us to suggest a number of different potential settlements and to give our client a thorough appraisal of the financial implications of each type of settlement.  This meant the client could make informed choices as to proposals to put forward to his fiancée in negotiating the agreements.
 
Acting on our advice, the client agreed the terms of both a cohabitation agreement and pre-nuptial agreement, with DMH Stallard preparing both documents. The case was unusual given the value of the assets and need for careful and considered advice.

Family law teams in London & South East

 

Our LondonBrightonGatwickGuildford, and Horsham offices support clients throughout the South of England. 

The family law team advises both domestic and international clients. We are specialists in jurisdiction disputes and cases where complex assets are located worldwide.

DMH Stallard's family law team has been recognised in the eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms rankings for the third year running - the rankings are a result of comprehensive analysis of the leading law firms providing family law advice in the UK.

2021 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms         EPC-TFLF-RGB.jpg         

Get in touch by completing our quick form. That way we can ensure the most appropriately qualified person calls you back for an exploratory discussion.

"I felt reassured that I was being taken care of and that my views were being listened to."

Chambers and Partners UK 2022

Key Contacts

Philip Morton
Nigel Winter
Mark Rennie
Samantha Jago

Philip Morton

Partner
Expert in all areas of family law, particularly complex domestic and international financial disputes, fraud and commercial dispute resolution.
London

Email Philip
View Philip's Profile

Nigel Winter

Partner
Family law partner advising on divorce, pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
Horsham

Email Nigel
View Nigel's Profile

Mark Rennie

Partner
Matrimonial expert specialising in divorce, financial proceedings and wealth preservation
Horsham

Email Mark
View Mark's Profile

Samantha Jago

Partner
Advises on high value divorce, cohabitation agreements and disputes, children matters, pre and post nuptial agreements, and domestic violence
Guildford

Email Samantha
View Samantha's Profile
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Further reading

Members of the press to be allowed in the Family courts

Blog
16/11/2023
What does this mean for individuals going through challenging and often emotional times
Read more Read

DMH Stallard adds new partner to City office

Blog, News & PR
25/09/2023
Highly respected and renowned divorce lawyer, Amanda Glass joins the firm
Read more Read

Surrogacy: The Law Commissions quest for change

Blog
21/06/2023
The Law Commission have sought to tighten up the law and provide clarity regarding the current legislation surrounding surrogacy in England and Wales
Read more Read

Not an April fool – valid prenups will be upheld in England and Wales

Blog
12/04/2023
Prenups are becoming more common. This judgment provides clarity that those agreements will be abided by, in the hope that they can avoid the expense, stress and acrimony of a divorce battle.
Read more Read
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