Family Law
Calm, Robust Advice Through Family Change Separating, protecting your children or facing abuse? Our family solicitors help you understand your options and move forward safely.
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Family law advice when life is changing
Separation, disagreements about children and concerns about safety can affect every part of daily life. Legal decisions may need to be made while emotions are high and the future feels uncertain. Arona St James Solicitors provides confidential family law advice to people contemplating separation, those already going through it, parents, survivors of domestic abuse and couples planning how to protect assets.
Our approach is trauma-informed and practical. We seek to reduce unnecessary conflict where agreement is possible, while acting robustly where court proceedings or urgent protective steps are needed. We explain the law in plain language, help clients separate immediate priorities from longer-term decisions and do not promise a particular outcome.
Separation and divorce
We advise married couples and civil partners on ending their legal relationship and on the decisions that follow. Divorce and dissolution are now based on a no-fault process in England and Wales, but the application itself does not resolve financial claims or child arrangements. Those issues need to be considered separately.
At an early stage, we can explain the procedural timetable, identify urgent practical matters and discuss communication with a former partner. Where a case has an international element — such as overseas property, more than one possible country for proceedings, or a family member living abroad — prompt advice may be especially important because jurisdiction and enforcement questions can affect the available options.
Finances after separation
Resolving finances may involve the family home, savings, pensions, investments, debts, business interests, income and future needs. There is no automatic formula that produces the right settlement for every family. The court considers the statutory factors and aims for a fair outcome, with the welfare of any dependent children being an important consideration.
We help clients gather and understand financial disclosure, evaluate proposals and negotiate where appropriate. An agreement should normally be recorded in a court-approved consent order to provide legal finality. If disclosure is incomplete or agreement cannot be reached, we can advise on financial remedy proceedings and represent clients through the court process.
Children and parenting arrangements
Parents may need help deciding where a child will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, arrangements for holidays and education, or whether a proposed move is in the child’s interests. The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration.
Many families reach arrangements through direct discussion, solicitor negotiation or mediation. Court may be necessary where there are safeguarding issues, serious disagreement or an urgent risk. We focus on workable arrangements and careful presentation of the facts, keeping children out of adult conflict wherever possible.
Domestic abuse and safeguarding
Domestic abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic, and may include coercive or controlling behaviour. If someone is at immediate risk, they should call 999. Legal protections may include a non-molestation order, an occupation order and protective directions within children proceedings, depending on the circumstances.
We discuss safety and confidentiality carefully and can advise on urgent applications. We also represent people responding to allegations, ensuring that safeguarding concerns are addressed fairly and evidence is considered properly. The right response depends on risk, available evidence and any existing court orders.
Planning before or during marriage
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements allow couples to record how they intend finances to be dealt with if they later separate. They are not automatically binding in the same way as a commercial contract, but the court may give substantial weight to a properly prepared agreement that is fair and entered into freely with appropriate disclosure and independent advice.
These agreements can be particularly useful where either person has pre-existing assets, family wealth, business interests, expected inheritance or responsibilities from a previous relationship. Advice should be taken early enough to avoid pressure and allow proper consideration.
What to expect from an initial consultation
The first meeting is a confidential opportunity to explain what has happened and what matters most to you. We will ask about the family, important dates, finances, any immediate safety concerns and existing agreements or court documents. You do not need to have every answer before seeking advice.
We will outline the available options, likely stages and urgent priorities. That may include negotiation, mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution, as well as court proceedings where needed. If you instruct us, the scope of work and costs will be confirmed in writing. Costs vary according to complexity, urgency, the level of agreement and whether proceedings become necessary.
Speak to our team
Early advice can help you make decisions from a clearer position. To discuss separation, children, financial arrangements, domestic abuse or family planning, contact our family law team. If there is an immediate danger, call 999 before seeking legal advice.
FAQs
Not necessarily. Many family issues are resolved through direct discussion, solicitor negotiation, mediation or another non-court process. Court may be needed where agreement is not possible, financial disclosure is inadequate, there are safeguarding concerns or urgent protection is required.
No-fault divorce allows one or both spouses to state that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. There is a minimum 20-week period before the conditional order and a further minimum of six weeks and one day before the final order, so the process takes at least about 26 weeks and can take longer. Financial issues are separate from the divorce application.
The parties usually exchange financial information and try to agree a fair settlement by negotiation, mediation or another process. Relevant factors include resources, needs, income, earning capacity, pensions, the standard of living and any children’s welfare. A court-approved order is generally needed to make an agreement final and enforceable.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Depending on the circumstances, legal options may include a non-molestation order, an occupation order and protective measures in children proceedings. We can discuss safety, evidence and whether an urgent application is appropriate.
Yes, but each person should consider independent legal advice before making a binding financial agreement or consent order. A solicitor can explain the effect of the terms, identify issues that may have been missed and help ensure the agreement is recorded properly.
Costs depend on the work required, the complexity and urgency, how much is agreed and whether court proceedings are necessary. After discussing the matter, we will explain the proposed scope and provide written information about charges before work begins.
Family proceedings involving children are generally heard in private, with restrictions on publication and identification. Limited categories of authorised people or reporters may attend in some circumstances, but confidentiality rules still apply. We can explain the position for your particular hearing.
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