Bennett Smith Solicitors is acknowledged to be one of the leading specialist Family Law solicitors in North Wales.
Family Law North Wales
Divorce, Separation and Civil Partnership
We at Bennett Smith understand that the breakdown of a relationship can be difficult, emotional and worrying. Our specialist team will support you in this stressful time by providing you with clear, jargon-free advice and ensure that we guide you through the process in a practical and sensitive way. We will also assist in resolving arrangements for the children where necessary and which understandably will be at the forefront of your mind.
We recognise that you will be worried about family finances. Our experienced family law solicitors will be able to provide you with clear, comprehensive and practical advice in relation to the finances.
Finances
At Bennett Smith we recognise that the financial aspects of the relationship breakdown will need to be resolved and the assets divided as soon as possible to provide much needed security and peace of mind for the individual and for the family.
Untangling the finances can be a daunting prospect and inevitably you will have a lot of questions such as “Will the children’s home have to be sold?”; “What happens to any business assets?”; and “Will I be able to retain my pension?”.
We adopt a non-confrontational approach but when required can be robust in all matters to safeguard our clients’ interests. Our team aims to achieve settlement with a minimum amount of cost and stress to our clients, but equally we recognise those cases where a more tenacious approach is required.
Bennett Smith has access to a wide range of experts who can be called upon to provide their specialist input and assist in resolving any aspect of your matter. Our specialists include Family Law barristers; valuers of domestic and commercial property, agricultural property and land, antiques and fine art, and corporate institutions; forensic accountants; pension actuaries; and many more.
We are here to provide you with support, skill, care and understanding during what can be one of the most painful and stressful of life’s experiences.
Children
The Family team at Bennett Smith understand that your children are your first concern and of the utmost importance to you. We, as do the Courts, favour a child-focused approach to all family matters. We understand that when an issue arises concerning your children you need expert advice and support.
Our highly skilled and experienced team are specialists in dealing with all matters concerning children and child law. Such matters can range from disputes between parents in relation to where their children shall live, or how much time they will spend with each of their parents, to how school holidays and special occasions will be divided.
We can see you quickly to provide you with tailored legal advice and proposals for moving matters forward as efficiently as possible. We will also strip away confusing legal jargon.
We frequently resolve disputes in relation to your children without the Court’s intervention. However, sometimes Court proceedings are necessary and we will guide you through the process of obtaining a Child Arrangements Order and be by your side at every stage of the proceedings.
The Family team also recognises the role that grandparents often play in a child’s life and advise maternal and paternal grandparents as to how they, too, can ensure they can enjoy a meaningful relationship with their grandchildren after a family dispute or a relationship breakdown.
Sometimes a situation may arise where an agreement cannot be reached regarding a specific issue concerning the upbringing of your child. This can range from a dispute in relation to your child’s name, the place that they will be educated or the religion they will observe. An issue may also arise if your child requires medical treatment and you cannot agree with the other parent as to whether they should receive such treatment. If any of these situations should arise we are here to advise and assist you.
One of the most difficult situations to deal with within family law is when one parent wishes to relocate elsewhere in the UK or overseas, and they wish to take the children with them. The team are experienced in dealing with these issues, having dealt with such cases in their local Courts and in the High Court in London.
Civil Partnership
In the event of a breakdown of a same-sex relationship or marriage the Civil Partnership or marriage will have to be legally dissolved and the surrounding financial issues addressed. The Family team are very experienced in this area.
The same principles in relation to resolving financial claims apply to both same sex couples in civil partnerships and married couples. We refer you to our finances section on our website.
Equally, the future arrangements for a child or children may have to be addressed. The Family team will strive to resolve matters as amicably and swiftly as possible on your behalf. If an application to Court becomes necessary, our team are experienced in dealing with complex legal arguments surrounding the various issues that can arise when you are raising your children.
Unmarried Separation and Cohabitation
We at Bennett Smith can assist when your relationship breaks down and take you through the complex legal maze relating to unmarried cohabitation.
There has been a long-established myth in our society that unmarried couples who have lived together for a qualifying period of time acquire certain rights. This is simply not the case. These relationships can be short, or often span a number of years and involve children. The financial position of cohabitees is often entwined and complex.
It is essential that advice is sought at the earliest opportunity and our team of family law solicitors in North Wales will guide and support you from the first point of contact.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. The skilled team at Bennett Smith are experts in obtaining emergency protection for vulnerable adults and children.
An application to the Court for emergency protection can be obtained within hours of contacting us.
The Family team at Bennett Smith Solicitors are happy to talk to you.
Testimonials
"Thank you so much for the hard work you did on my behalf during my divorce. Your professionalism throughout was very reassuring for myself and my family. "
"Many thanks for all your support during a difficult few years. The whole process was made so much easier because of the excellent service provided by Bennett Smith."
"I just wanted to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to you for all the advice, patience and support and calming influence”. Please also convey my thanks to all relevant members of your team for their hard work, diligence and professional yet friendly manner at all times. I will be forever grateful to you all."