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Family Law Solicitors in York

Family law is a sensitive area, requiring a specialist approach. At Harrowells, our family law solicitors in York offer empathetic support and clear, practical guidance for all legal issues affecting you and your family.

Understanding your rights and what you can expect is the first step in planning your future. Our family lawyers will work closely with you, making sure we know what you want to achieve. We will then provide tailored support in a way that works best for you.

Our York family lawyers recognise that each situation is unique. We are highly adaptable, with strong expertise in handling negotiations and court proceedings. This means we can minimise the risk of conflict while ensuring you always get the best outcome for you and your loved ones.

We are ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for our family law expertise. This provides independent assurance of the high quality service we offer to our clients. Your case will be handled by the same family law expert from start to finish, so you can be confident of receiving the best support at all times.

Our family law fees are fair and transparent – we will be happy to discuss options including fixed fees and deferred fee agreements when you get in touch.

Contact our family lawyers in York

Looking for clear, practical family law advice in York or across Yorkshire and the surrounding area? Please contact our solicitors in York to see how we can help.

Our York family law services

Divorce

Getting divorced is a relatively straightforward legal process following the introduction of ‘no-fault’ divorce in England and Wales. You will need to fill out an online application, which can either be done jointly with your spouse or by yourself.

Our divorce solicitors in York can assist with your divorce application, making sure it is completed fully and accurately. We can also make sure the rest of the process is completed promptly (i.e. applying for the Conditional Order and Final Order needed to end your marriage).

We can also advise on the full implications of getting a divorce, both for your finances and any children you have.

Find out more about our divorce solicitors in York.

Division of finances

Splitting your finances when you separate from a partner can be a daunting task, but it is one you absolutely must get right. This ensures your future financial security and that any children you have are fully provided for.

In most cases, we can secure a financial settlement through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution (e.g. mediation). However, if an amicable settlement cannot be reached, we can advise on applying to a court for a Financial Order.

Find out more about how we can help with division of finances.

Arrangements for children

Deciding what will happen to your children during or after a separation is not always easy. Fortunately, it is usually possible to agree child arrangements voluntarily through negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Our child law solicitors in York can help you get the right arrangements in place for your children as swiftly as possible. We will always prioritise your children’s wellbeing, while also protecting your rights as a parent.

Find out more about our child law solicitors in York.

Change of name

Whether you need to change your name or that of your children, it is sensible to seek legal support. While changing a name is often non-contentious, if you are changing your children’s names, you will need the consent of anyone else with parental responsibility e.g. your ex-partner.

Our change of name solicitors in York can explain the process to you and assist with securing consent of all relevant parties. This can help to avoid stress and conflict.

Find out more about how we can help with change of name.

Pre-nuptial agreements

Pre-nuptial agreements are increasingly common for people from all walks of life. They can be especially useful if there is a significant difference in income and/or wealth between people getting married. They are also common for second marriages, especially if either party already has children.

Our pre-nuptial agreements solicitors in York can help you negotiate and draft an agreement. We can also advise on an agreement you have been asked to sign. If you are already married, we can assist with a post-nuptial agreement instead.

Find out more about how we can help with pre-nuptial agreements.

Cohabitation agreements

Unmarried couples have no automatic legal rights over each other’s property if they separate. It is therefore strongly advised to make a cohabitation agreement as soon as possible. This can specify each person’s financial rights, both during the relationship and if you ever split up.

Our cohabitation agreements solicitors in York can help you negotiate and draft a cohabitation agreement. We can also advise you if you have been asked to sign a cohabitation agreement or need to update an existing agreement.

Find out more about how we can help with cohabitation agreements.

Separation agreements

Separation agreements allow you and your spouse to start living separate lives straightaway if you are unable or unwilling to divorce at the present. They can set out how your finances will be divided, including any maintenance that must be paid. They can also be used to agree arrangements for children.

Our separation agreements solicitors in York will be happy to help with negotiating, drafting, and reviewing separation agreements. We can ensure you have immediate certainty and make things easier if you do later decide to divorce.

Find out more about how we can help with separation agreements.

Domestic abuse

Asking for help with domestic abuse is never easy, but our family lawyers in York can step in to offer fast, effective support. We can help you to secure injunctions and court orders to protect you and your loved ones, as well as supporting you through divorce proceedings and any other family law issues you may need to address.

Find out more about how we can help with domestic abuse.

Harrowells’ family law fees in York

We are completely transparent with our fees. Where appropriate, we can handle some family law matters on a fixed fee basis. If ongoing support is needed, we will be clear about our hourly rates, with all billable work agreed in advance.

We understand your finances may be uncertain, especially if you are going through a divorce or separation. Deferred fee agreements may be an option to help ensure our services are accessible in advance of a financial settlement.

Find out more about our family law fees.

Learn more about divorce and family law

We run a divorce and family law blog which offers insights into various issues related to this complex and ever-changing area of law.

Local family law resources for York

York County Court and Family Court

This is the local family court for people in York. It is just 0.3 miles or approximately 7 minutes’ walk from our offices in St Saviourgate, York.

Find out more about York County Court and Family Court.

Contact our family lawyers in York

Looking for clear, practical family law advice in York or across Yorkshire and the surrounding area? Please contact our solicitors in York to see how we can help.