Family Law Dorset

The breakdown of a relationship is never an easy time for those involved. You'll need sensitive, professional advice to make matters as straight forward as possible.

Coles Miller has an experienced team of family lawyers based at offices in Poole, Bournemouth and Broadstone and can provide legal advice to individuals involved in disputes relating to marriage and families.

The team all specialise in family and matrimonial law and are members of Resolution [known formerly as the Solicitors Family Law Association] and the Law Society's Family Law Panel, and as such hold to their code of conduct.

 

Some of the areas we can assist with include

Divorce
If a marriage unfortunately breaks down, we recognise that you will want straightforward and expert advice but without the mounting legal fees. For this reason we offer a fixed cost Petitioner's divorce package for straightforward proceedings. However, in cases that may be more lengthy and complicated to resolve, perhaps where there are substantial assets, or disputes over children or residency, we can provide guidance and offer various alternatives to seek a resolution. These may include mediation or collaborative law or we can provide representation if disputes need to be settled in a more traditional court system.

Separation
Whether or not a couple are married or not, relationships may falter and a couple may decide to separate. You may need advice on access or maintenance of children or assets such as the family home, or you may need help in formalising any separation or transfer/ disposal of assets. Remember if you are not married, the rights you have will be very different to those of a married couple.

Disputes over Children

Whenever children are involved in a relationship breakdown, we believe their welfare to be of paramount importance and can advise you on issues such as residence (where the children will live) and contact (time the children spend with the other parent or other family members). We can also assist with disputes after separation including specific aspects of the child's upbringing.

Financial Issues

The financial implications of marriage or other relationship breakdown can be complicated. We offer guidance on the way forward including assistance through negotiations or proceedings as necessary to secure the best possible financial deal for you. We also provide advice in support of mediation services. This type of advice is essential for all separating couples, whether married or not.

Family Disputes

When a couple separate, the repercussions often impact on other members of the extended family, particularly if there are children involved. Grandparents and aunts and uncles may have concerns over issues such as continued access and involvement. Additionally, as couples form new relationships in the future, the other parent may have concerns about access and involvement of the new partner in their child's life. We can help advise on such issues and explain what the legal implications are.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a new way of resolving family law matters, including divorce, separation and parenting disputes, without going to court.

It allows couples to benefit from the support, protection, and guidance of specially trained lawyers and professionals, to help them resolve separation issues through face to face meetings. All participants have to be committed to reaching a mutually acceptable settlement that takes into account the highest priorities of both parties.

Cohabitation & Pre-nuptial agreements

For many couples who are contemplating cohabitation or marriage, a document to regularise the position on any later separation or divorce is ideal. We offer advice on the relevance of cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements, as well as drafting and advising upon them.

Civil Partnerships
Same sex couples can now formalise their relationships in a similar way to marriage, and we can assist and advise on pre-registration agreements, as well as dissolution of the partnership and financial matters arising from that.

Other Family Law Issues

We also specialise in:

·                 High value finance cases

·                 Pension issues

·                 Injunctions

·                 Gay and lesbian relationship breakdown

·                 Mediation advice

·                 Domestic Violence

To download a copy of our information sheet outlining some of our services click here.