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When family life changes, the right support matters.

Our Family Law department is here to provide expert guidance with clarity, care, and compassion. We understand that every family is unique, and we tailor our advice to your circumstances, always explained in plain language, never legal jargon, so you can make confident and informed decisions about your future.

Often, family matters such as divorce and separation involve more than just the ending of a relationship. Other important issues may need to be resolved, including:

• Children and Parenting Arrangements – Making decisions about where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent, and ensuring their needs and wellbeing remain the priority.

• Financial Matters – Reaching a fair and practical settlement on property, savings, pensions, debts, and ongoing financial support.

• The Family Home – Protecting your interest in the home, whether it is owned jointly or in one partner’s sole name.

• Future Planning – Putting agreements in place, such as parental responsibility orders or co-parenting arrangements, to give certainty and stability moving forward.

Expert family law advice, delivered with clarity and compassion – at a time and place that suits you.

At Fairweather Law, we know that life doesn’t always fit neatly into office hours. That’s why we make our Family Law services as accessible and flexible as possible:

• Free Initial Consultation – Every client is offered a complimentary first meeting to get to know you and your circumstances and discuss suitable options going forward.

• Flexible Appointments – Meet us in person at any of our offices, or connect remotely by phone, email, or online – whatever works best for you.

• National Support – No matter where you live in the UK, the team can connect and provide the same high standard of advice and support.

• After-Hours Availability – For those with busy schedules, evening appointments can be arranged in advance.

Contact us today:

What makes Fairweather Law special?

Free initial consultation

Free initial 30-minute phone consultation for both businesses and individual clients. Our legal team will discuss your needs and guide you in the right direction from the very start of our relationship.

Reputation

Our clients receive outstanding service, building continuing relationships that ensure they and our business partners return to us repeatedly for their legal needs.

Local to you

With offices throughout Suffolk, extending into Norfolk, and an expanding client base in the London area, we are confident in our ability to provide you with the highest standard legal advice, no matter your location.

No nonsense

We take pride in providing clear, straightforward advice without overwhelming you with unnecessary legal jargon. Our personalised approach and our ability to put you at ease, ensures a positive outcome.

Value

Our legal fees are tailored to the local market, we regularly monitor our rates compared to larger organisations. Being a relatively small firm ensures that our rates remain competitive.

How we can help you

Divorce, Dissolution & Separation

We guide you through the process of the ending of a marriage, civil partnership, or long-term relationship with sensitivity and clarity, helping you move forward with confidence.

Financial & Property Matters

Our team works to secure a fair division of assets, property, pensions, and savings, protecting your financial stability for the future.

Mediation Support

We can refer you to trusted mediators and advise on mediation agreements, ensuring your rights are protected and any decisions reached are legally sound.

Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements

Whether before or during marriage, we help you draft agreements to protect your assets and give you peace of mind.

Living Together & Separation Agreements

For couples living together, we prepare clear agreements to set out financial and property arrangements, as well as separation agreements if the relationship ends.

Children & Parenting Matters

Your children’s wellbeing is always our priority. We help with children’s matters including:

– Deciding where children will live and how much time they spend with each parent.
– Parental responsibility agreements to clarify legal rights and responsibilities.
– Grandparents’ rights, ensuring valuable family relationships are maintained.

Protecting Your Home

We assist in registering Home Rights Notices to safeguard your interest in the matrimonial home, when it is in your spouse’s sole name.

Change of Name Deeds

We make the process of officially changing your name simple.

At Fairweather Law, our focus is on guiding you through life’s challenges with clarity, compassion, and expert legal support.

Divorce & Dissolution
(Civil Partnership)
FAQs

How long does a divorce take?
Usually around 7 months, but longer if money, property, or children’s issues need resolving.
  1. File the application
  2. Acknowledge the application
  3. Apply for the conditional order
  4. Apply for the final order to end the marriage/civil partnership
Not usually – most divorces are handled online. Court is only needed if financial or children’s matters cannot be agreed.
No. You simply confirm the marriage/civil partnership has irretrievably broken down.
Yes, if you meet certain criteria for England and Wales.

Usually by negotiation or mediation. If agreed, terms should be recorded in a Financial Remedy Order. Court is the last resort.

Costs vary. Fixed fees may be available; otherwise, you’ll receive a cost estimate.

Cohabitation – Living with a Partner
FAQs

If you live together but are not married
If you live together but are not married, it’s wise to have a Cohabitation Agreement to set out property ownership, financial arrangements, and what happens if you separate. This can help prevent disputes.
If you plan to marry (or have recently married), a Pre-Nuptial or Post-Nuptial Agreement can protect assets such as property, savings, or inheritance.

Parental responsibility means you are legally recognised as your child’s parent and have a say in major decisions about their welfare, such as medical treatment, education, religion, and travel abroad.

  • Mothers automatically have parental responsibility from birth.
  • Fathers have it if married to the mother at the time of birth. Unmarried fathers can get it if named on the birth certificate (after 1 Dec 2003), via a parental responsibility agreement, or by court order.
  • Civil partners have it if they were in a civil partnership at the time of fertility or donor treatment; otherwise, it can be acquired through other legal steps.
  • Step-parents can also gain parental responsibility.
  • Responsibility can sometimes be delegated, for example, to a grandparent.


If you do not live with your child but have parental responsibility, the other parent must involve you in important decisions. Joint decision-making and open communication are usually best for children’s wellbeing.

If you’re having difficulties with arrangements after separation, contact us for advice.

Meet the Family Law Team

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