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LA has a broad client base and is able to offer particular experience in acting for high asset, London blue chip and international clients. The team applies commitment and sound judgement to every case. Their negotiating skills are realistic and effective and meticulous care is taken in the preparation of cases.
LA family law team offers considerable experience at all levels. Their standards of excellence are evident in the advice given and the manner this is communicated and acted upon. Clients are offered a personal approach, which is at the same time thoroughly professional.
Described by Chambers as “clear leaders across the south of England with a caseload which would put many London firms in the shade”, we have been the leading team and the leading individual family lawyer for the past 5 years.
Areas of Expertise
- Divorce and separation
- Financial claims on divorce
- Cohabitants’ claims (hetero-sexual)
- Same –sex relationships, civil partnerships and dissolution
- Pre-nuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements
- Children matters
- Fertility law and the family
- Costs and litigation funding
Divorce and separation
We can advise you on the legal implications of relationship breakdown including divorce and separation. We can explain and guide you through the process and deal with associated issues along the way (to include financial matters and arrangements for your children). Our experienced and highly skilled lawyers are routinely instructed by individuals with complex financial arrangements, international connections and difficult emotional contexts who value our confident, sensitive and bespoke approach.
In particular we can:
- Explain the basis and process for divorce
- Prepare and deal with divorce proceedings on your behalf
- Advise on Separation Agreements
- Advise and conduct nullity proceedings
- Deal with international and jurisdictional issues within divorce.
For further information please read our leaflet covering all aspects of Divorce
Financial claims on divorce
High net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, businessmen and women and professionals regularly instruct our experienced and skilled lawyers to deal with their often complex financial arrangements following relationship breakdown. Our lawyers work closely with accountants, tax advisors, surveyors, pension specialists and barristers to broker and craft bespoke financial settlements that maximise your financial resources.
We can advise and guide you through the process and provide efficient, practical advice along the way. We advise on a wide range of issues including:
- General financial principles on divorce
- Spousal maintenance claims
- Financial provision for children
- Lump sum awards
- Property claims
- Pension sharing
- Treatment of trusts on divorce
- Emergency financial relief
For further information please click here
Cohabitants’ claims
National statistics indicate that ever increasing numbers of people are cohabiting. Cohabitants do not enjoy the same legal rights and protection
as married individuals and complex financial difficulties can arise as a result following relationship breakdown. Our lawyers can amongst other things
advise on:
- General treatment of cohabitants in England and Wales
- Property claims
- Financial provision for children
The merits of a cohabitation agreement and draft as appropriate
For further information please click here
Same-sex relationships, civil partnerships and dissolution
We routinely assist and advise individuals in same-sex relationships on a national and international basis. Our specialist lawyers can provide you with experienced advice on a wide range of matters including:
- Relationship breakdown and financial arrangements
- Civil partnership
- Dissolution of civil partnership
- Pre-civil partnership agreements
- Contested children disputes
- Co-parenting agreements
Lester Aldridge LLP is a same-sex friendly firm with close links with Stonewall
For further information please click here
Pre-nuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements
Whilst pre-nuptial and pre-civil partnership agreements are not automatically binding in England and Wales, unlike some other European countries, they are now one of the factors a court will take into account when determining financial claims upon divorce or dissolution of civil partnership. A timely, well drafted and properly executed pre-nuptial or pre-civil partnership agreement could help to preserve wealth and pre-acquired assets. Our lawyers can:
- Advise on the advantages and disadvantages of a pre-nuptial or pre-civil partnership agreement
- Prepare and advise on the terms of any such agreement
- Advise you further on the court's treatment of pre-nuptial or pre-civil partnership agreements based on your particular circumstances
Pre-nuptial or pre-registration agreements - 2009
Collaborative law
Our Lawyers are skilled and experienced advocates of collaborative law. The collaborative law model offers individuals the opportunity to resolve issues arising from relationship breakdown through a series of four-way lawyer managed meetings. Discussions are under-pinned by contract (known as a Participation Agreement) committing each party and their lawyer to resolving matters without recourse to litigation. Our lawyers support you through the process and help you create a settlement in a versatile and “user-friendly” way, whilst allowing you to set the pace and content of discussions. It is for many individuals a better way to resolve relationship difficulties, financial matters and arrangements for children and provide holistic solutions for you and your family.
Trusts within divorce
Assets are often placed in Trust to preserve wealth, minimise tax and to manage financial resources efficiently. On relationship breakdown, Trust assets can fall into dispute. Complex issues can arise in attacking or defending the financial integrity of a Trust. Our lawyers work closely with our highly regarded Tax and Trusts team and can advise amongst other things on:
- The treatment of Trusts on divorce
- Variation of Trusts on divorce
- Breaking Trusts to increase the “matrimonial pot”
- Representation for Trustees in financial proceedings within divorce
- Jurisdictional considerations relating to Trusts
- Preservation of Trust assets
- Creation of Trusts within divorce settlements
For more information on tax and trusts please click here
Children matters
Our lawyers have a wealth of experience and expertise in handling complex and often highly charged issues involving children. Following relationship breakdown, many individuals experience difficulties regulating arrangements for their children. We can help you and your family work out tailor-made solutions that work in practice and promote the best interests of your child.
Our specialist family lawyers regularly act for individuals and their children on a national and international basis, which often involves additional complex jurisdictional and logistical considerations. We are also members of a professional international network of lawyers called MSI which helps us provide you with seamless and specialist legal advice on international children law matters as required.
We provide highly specialist and niche practice advice to individuals embarking upon fertility treatment and advise on their legal rights and responsibilities following the conception and birth of a child as a result.
We regularly provide specialist advice to individuals on children matters arising from same-sex relationships, including co-parenting agreements and the acquisition of legal rights for donor conceived children on a contentious and non-contentious basis.
Our lawyers also work closely with other specialists to resolve complex children issues, including counsellors, psychologists and other medical professionals and court appointed professionals and barristers.
We can advise and assist on a wide range of children related issues, including:
- Contact
- Residence
- Parental responsibility
- Specific issues
- Acquisition of legal rights for children by parents and extended family members
- Financial provision for children
- Co-parenting agreements
- Surrogacy
- International children law
- Private step-parent adoption
For more information please click below:
Fertility law
Surrogacy UK
Fertility law and the family
We can advise on a wide range of fertility law matters. Our lawyers provide specialist advice in this niche area law and we are regularly instructed by clients on a national and international basis.
We offer a sensitive, bespoke and efficient service and can amongst other things advise on:
- The acquisition of legal rights following the birth of a donor conceived child
- International surrogacy arrangements
- Co-parenting agreements (for children born following fertility treatment)
- Financial provision (for children born following fertility treatment)
- Contested children disputes
For more information please click below:
Fertility law
Surrogacy UK
Costs and litigation funding
Whilst we provide skilled and cost efficient advice, we are conscious that paying legal costs can be a concern for individuals. We are transparent about costs and provide regular cost estimates and updates to help you budget for your costs throughout your case.
We also have close links with various banks and we can in approved circumstances offer a litigation loan funding scheme to help fund your costs pending the outcome of your case.
Our lawyers can advise you where appropriate on the merits of seeking an order from the court for the payment of legal fees from your former partner or spouse to help fund your case through to conclusion.
Our lawyers can also advise on the prospects of securing a costs order against another for the recovery of part or all of your costs.
International Family Law
Increasing numbers of people have International connections and this can lead to complex legal issues following relationship breakdown. We also have links with an international group of lawyers called MSI and we can therefore quickly and efficiently arrange specialist foreign legal advice when required. Our experienced and skilled lawyers can advice you on a wide range of international issues to include:
- Jurisdictional considerations within divorce
- International children disputes
- Treatment of trusts on divorce
- International surrogacy arrangements
LA is a member of MSI - a global alliance of lawyers and accountants
Mediation
We can provide a specialist experienced mediation service to resolve family issues including:
- Financial arrangements
- Children disputes
- Divorce and separation
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