Services
CVG Family Law provides expert family law advice and representation. We have expertise in private children law, domestic abuse, financial matters upon divorce or separation as well as issues affecting unmarried couples. Our real passion lies with representing those who are victims of domestic abuse, both male and female, in all aspects of family law, including child protection.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse does not just mean violent behaviour, it deals with an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, cohesive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse.
This encompasses psychological, physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Controlling and coercive behaviour may be hidden and often harder to see or prove than physical violence, but it is not less damaging or frightening.
There are some fantastic specialist local services to provide practical support to you as a victim of domestic abuse and having close contacts with these means that we will be able to put you in touch with the best support to help you through this dark time.
As solicitors, we can guide you through the steps you need to take to protect yourself and any children you may have by applying for emergency injunctions as follows (both on notice to the other party and without notice in the most serious cases and where the risk involved requires it):
Non-molestation orders
Occupation orders
It is likely that if you are in an abusive relationship, you may have only just started to realise this or, you may not fully realise the extent of the harm you have suffered just yet. You may not be able to accept it or want to do so. You may feel there is no way out. This is all very normal and understandable. The dynamics of an abusive relationship are very complex and at times very well hidden. It takes on average 9 attempts to leave an abuser. This is likely to be due to many factors including the control your abuser has over you, making you feel that you simply cannot leave. This is not your fault and you are not alone. We have extensive experience in this field to guide you through your journey to independence and recovery, whilst doing our utmost to ensure you and your children are safe.
If you would like to talk in confidence please click the button below to apply for a 30 minute free consultation, where we can briefly talk through a suggested plan ahead.
Private Children Law (Child Arrangements)
We provide advice in relation to all aspects of child arrangements including the following:
Parental Responsibility
Living and Contact arrangements for children on separation or divorce
Child Arrangements / Protection and Domestic Abuse
Specific Issues in relation to children such as which school they should attend, or which religion they should follow.
Prohibited Steps Orders such as preventing a relocation of a child to another part of the country or stopping contact where safeguarding of a child is concerned.
In addition, we are able to advise you in relation to cases where allegations of abuse have been made by you or about you in relation to child arrangements. If you need some help and guidance with progressing your children arrangements please click the button below to apply for a 30 minute free consultation, where we can briefly talk through a suggested plan ahead.
Divorce
Since April 2022 there is no longer a need for blame to be placed on either party for the end of the marriage. Divorce applications are now made either on a sole basis or joint basis by both parties, on a “no fault” basis. In other words you do not need to provide any reasons for the breakdown of your marriage, nor do you need to wait a period of time after separation before applying.
Applications are now done online and we can either do this for you, or assist you in making the application yourself. We will advise you of the process and the need to ensure that applications are made in a timely fashion so that financial matters are not delayed as a result.
Financial Matters
We provide advice in relation to all aspects of financial arrangements on divorce or separation. We have expertise in high net worth individuals as well as those who require advice as to how their finances will stretch to two homes. No matter your financial position, the idea of dividing your finances and being able to provide for two homes can be very unnerving. We can help with the following:
Lump sum orders
Property transfer orders
Property adjustment orders
Family home division
Pensions
Taxation
Spousal and child maintenance
Interim financial arrangements on separation pending divorce
Financial arrangements following separation of unmarried couples / cohabitees
Financial arrangements for children (for both married and unmarried couples) – child support /maintenance
Enforcement of Financial Orders
If you are considering mediation or are already mediating with your ex-partner or spouse, obtaining specialist Family Law advice will be invaluable. We offer fixed fee arrangements for providing advice alongside mediation as well as drafting and submitting the agreements you reach to the court.
If you need some help and guidance with progressing your financial arrangements please click the button below to apply for a 30 minute free consultation, where we can briefly talk through a suggested plan ahead.
Unmarried Couples
Couples who are cohabiting do not have the same rights as married couples on relationship breakdown. Contrary to the myth, there is no such thing as a “common law wife”. I can provide advice as to how your finances may be affected by separation.
As an unmarried parent, you will no doubt be looking at how to resolve financial issues between yourself and the other parent on separation. These cases are very different to financial provision on a divorce so you will need expert advice to can reach the best outcome possible for you and your children.
If you need some help and guidance with understanding your rights as an unmarried couple, please click the button below to apply for a 30 minute free consultation, where we can briefly talk through a suggested plan ahead.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our CVG Family Law FAQ section. We understand that legal matters involving your family can be complex and emotionally challenging. To help you get started, we've compiled answers to some of the most common questions our clients ask.
What areas of Family Law do you specialise in?
We are specialist Family Lawyers dedicated to and passionate about advising and representing those most in need. That includes domestic abuse victims, both male and female. We specialise in domestic abuse, Private Children Law, divorce and financial matters upon divorce or separation. Our Private Children Law cases include advising and assisting our clients in reaching agreements that work for them and their children, both outside of court, through to representing clients in Children Act court proceedings that involve allegations of domestic abuse both to the parent we are representing, and also the children. We will also represent those wrongly accused of domestic abuse. Our work in relation to financial matters can be part of divorce proceedings and unmarried clients. We act for high net worth individuals as well as those who are in receipt of benefits and are struggling to make ends meet. We also work closely with local mediators to provide legal advice to parties within that process.
How long does it take to get divorced?
Since April 2022 the law changed so that there is no longer a need for one party to blame the other for the breakdown of the marriage, or to wait a period of 2 years to apply for divorce without expressing fault. The new system, known as the no-fault based divorce, has made the process much easier for parties. The application is either made by one party, or jointly. It is also much harder to successfully contest a divorce. The quickest possible time for the divorce application to be finalised would be around 6 months. On average, however, there are usually child arrangements to agree upon and also financial matters to be decided between you before you finalise the divorce. Therefore the average divorce is more likely to take around 2 years from separation.
Do I need a lawyer for my Family Law case?
A family breakdown is an extremely emotional and difficult time for anyone to go through. Whilst you can represent yourself in relation to children proceedings and also financial proceedings in the court, or attend mediation or another alternative dispute resolution method to resolve your dispute, it is always going to be to your advantage to obtain specialist Family Law advice. An experienced and specialist solicitor can significantly improve your chances of a favourable outcome in every case, but even more so in especially complex cases or those involving children.
How are child arrangements determined by the court?
The child’s welfare is at the focus of all advice we give and decisions the court makes. There is a welfare checklist embodied in the Children Law Act 1989 which we consider when giving you advice on the arrangements for your children. It places paramount importance on safeguarding the child’s well-being, emphasising their physical, emotional and educational needs. These include, but are not limited to, each parent’s ability to safely care for the child and meet their needs and the child’s relationship with each parent, including any potential risks each parent may pose. The child’s wishes and feelings are also taken into account in varying degrees depending on their age and capabilities / vulnerabilities.
I’m really frightened about leaving my partner as I do not know anything about your financial position – what if I cannot afford to live without him / her?
It is very common and normal to have this fear. We will focus our initial free telephone consultation on providing you with an overview of your rights in relation to financial matters on the breakdown of your marriage or relationship. Believe us when we say that at the end of the "process" you will feel financially independent and capable of moving forward on your own.
I think I am a victim of domestic abuse but I have never been hit before, its just psychological and financial - can you help me? Will anyone listen?
All forms of domestic abuse are as serious and damaging as each other. We are specialists in this field and recognise that you may not see the extent of the harm you have suffered. You may not feel you can leave or live without your abuser. We work closely with social services, police, schools and domestic abuse support services to provide you with the support, courage and confidence to know that you can take this step and move forward towards being a survivor. We will ensure you have the protection in place you need from the outset and throughout your case. Nothing will shock us and you will be heard.
I am going to mediation with my soon to be ex-spouse, do I need a lawyer?
Mediation is a great way to resolve disputes for the right cases. We will always consider using alternative dispute resolution methods in every case as it can often resolve matters quicker, at less cost and assist in future positive co-parenting relationships. However, it is not safe or appropriate for everyone. If you do want to try mediation, then we will advise you inbetween sessions and then convert the agreement you reach into a legal document for the court to approve. Mediators are unable to give you advice and are instead there to facilitate agreements between you both. They are unable to draft the required legal documents or submit them to court on your behalf. Therefore it is imperative you seek legal advice on the side. We offer fixed fee arrangements in these circumstances so please do enquire about that with us.
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