- Boston
01205 351114 - Bourne
01778 218001 - Grantham
01476 591550 - Horncastle
01507 522456 - Lincoln
01522 541181 - London
02078 715755 - Newark
01636 673731 - Sleaford
01529 411500 - Spalding
01775 725664 - Stamford
01780 764145
Family Law Solicitors
Navigating family matters can be emotionally difficult and legally complex. At Chattertons, our family law solicitors are here to support you with clear, compassionate guidance and practical advice. Whether you're going through a divorce, planning for the future with a prenuptial agreement, or need help securing contact with your child or grandchild, we are ready to help.
We understand how sensitive family issues can be, and we approach every case with care and discretion. Our focus is always on achieving a positive outcome while minimising conflict. We aim to resolve issues through negotiation or mediation, helping you to preserve important relationships where possible, and to avoid the stress of going to court.
Our family law team advises individuals and families across Lincolnshire, London, and the East Midlands. We offer straightforward legal advice tailored to your situation and will work hard to protect your interests and those of your loved ones.
We can provide expert family law advice across a wide range of matters, including:
- Divorce and separation
- Child law
- Civil partnerships
- Financial settlements
- Cohabitation
- Grandparent’s rights
- Prenuptial agreements
- Postnuptial agreements
- Domestic abuse
Speak to our family law solicitors today
For expert advice on any family law matter, you can contact our local family law teams in Boston, Bourne, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, London, Newark, Sleaford, Spalding or Stamford.
To ask a question or request a call back at a time that suits you, please use our simple enquiry form, and a team member will get back to you promptly.
Our family law services
Divorce and separation
Divorce and separation are major life changes that often come with emotional and practical challenges. We are here to guide you through the legal process, offering clear advice on issues such as the division of finances, child arrangements, and protecting your assets.
Our team has extensive experience in helping clients reach fair agreements with minimal conflict. We will explore out-of-court solutions where possible, including mediation, however, we can also provide robust representation if court proceedings are required.
To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact our divorce and separation solicitors.
Child law
Our child law solicitors are experienced in helping parents, grandparents, and carers make arrangements that are in the best interests of the child. We can support you with matters including child arrangements (previously known as custody or contact), parental responsibility, relocation, and schooling disputes.
We always seek to resolve child law issues amicably, promoting cooperation between parents wherever possible. However, if an agreement can’t be reached, we can support you or represent you in court. We will work hard to help you achieve the best outcome, ensuring that your child’s welfare remains the top priority.
Civil partnerships
We offer legal advice for couples entering into or ending a civil partnership. If you're planning a civil partnership, we can assist with drawing up a pre-registration agreement to set out how assets should be handled in the event of separation.
If your civil partnership is ending, we can guide you through the dissolution process and advise you on financial and child-related matters. Our family solicitors can help you navigate this transition with clarity and confidence, working towards a resolution that protects your future.
To discuss your needs today, please contact our expert civil partnership solicitors at Chattertons.
Financial settlements
Reaching a financial settlement after separation or divorce is essential to protect your financial interests. Our solicitors are experienced in dealing with complex financial arrangements, including high-value assets, pensions, business interests, and property portfolios.
We will take the time to understand your priorities and advise you on the most effective way to achieve a fair division of assets. Wherever possible, we encourage negotiation and mediation to reach a financial agreement, but we are also experienced in representing clients in court when required.
Cohabitation
Cohabiting couples often mistakenly believe they have the same rights as married couples, but this is not the case under UK law.
If you live with a partner without being married or in a civil partnership, we can help you protect your interests with a cohabitation agreement. These agreements are used to outline arrangements for property, finances and children whilst the couple are living together and how these matters would be dealt with if the couple were to split up.
In the event of separation, disputes can arise over various matters, financial, and otherwise. Having a cohabitation agreement in place can be useful to resolve such disputes, and establish the rights of each individual.
Our family solicitors can assist in resolving these matters sensitively and constructively, whether through negotiation or court proceedings where necessary.
Grandparents’ rights
Grandparents often play a vital role in a child’s life. If a change in family circumstances has affected your ability to see your grandchildren, we can help you explore your options. While grandparents do not have automatic rights, courts recognise the value of those relationships and can grant contact if it’s in the child’s best interests.
We can advise you on informal agreements, mediation, and court applications, including child arrangements orders. Our team has a strong record of helping grandparents secure meaningful contact while keeping matters as amicable as possible.
To access family legal advice on grandparent’s rights today, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team at Chattertons.
Prenuptial agreements
A prenuptial agreement allows couples to set out how their finances should be dealt with if the marriage ends. While often associated with high-net-worth individuals, prenups can benefit any couple by providing clarity and reducing uncertainty.
Our family law solicitors can draft a tailored agreement that reflects your circumstances and protects assets such as property, businesses, or inheritance. Our solicitors will ensure the process is fair and legally robust, increasing the chances of the agreement being upheld by the court in the future.
Postnuptial agreements
Postnuptial agreements work in much the same way as prenuptial agreements but are entered into after a marriage has taken place. They are particularly useful if your financial situation changes, such as receiving a significant inheritance or setting up a business.
We can advise you on the benefits of a postnup and draft a clear, balanced agreement that protects both parties. A well-prepared postnuptial agreement can provide peace of mind and help reduce disputes if the relationship later breaks down.
For more information, please get in touch with our specialist family lawyers.
Domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or feel unsafe in your relationship or home, we can take immediate legal steps to protect you. Our domestic violence solicitors can apply for protective court orders such as Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders to safeguard your wellbeing and that of any children involved.
We recognise that this can be a frightening and isolating experience, and we will treat your situation with the utmost confidentiality and urgency. Our domestic abuse solicitors can also help you access other support services if needed and assist you in making longer-term arrangements for housing and children.
Frequently asked questions about family law
What does a family lawyer do?
A family lawyer specialises in legal matters that affect families and relationships. This includes advising and representing clients on divorce, separation, financial settlements, child arrangements, prenuptial agreements, domestic abuse, and more.
They help protect your rights, guide you through legal processes, and work to achieve fair outcomes, whether through negotiation, mediation or court proceedings.
How much does a family lawyer cost in the UK?
Family lawyer fees in the UK vary depending on the complexity of the case and the type of support that the client will receive.
Our family solicitors will ensure to provide an estimate of costs at the beginning, so that you know what to expect. To discuss how our fees work today, please get in touch.
Do I need a solicitor for a divorce?
While it’s possible to handle a divorce yourself, it is strongly advised to work with an expert solicitor to ensure that all matters are dealt with properly, especially with regard to finances and child arrangements. A solicitor can help you avoid costly mistakes, reduce stress, and make sure your interests are protected throughout the process.
Speak to our family law solicitors today
For expert advice on any family law matter, you can contact our local family law teams in Boston, Bourne, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, London, Newark, Sleaford, Spalding or Stamford.
To ask a question or request a call back at a time that suits you, please use our simple enquiry form, and a team member will get back to you promptly.
Who will deal with my case?
We have a large team of experienced family law solicitors, any one of whom will be able to advise you. You will have a single point of contact, backed up by a team that will also be up to speed on your case.
Individuals within the family law team are members of Resolution - the family lawyers’ association. The combined experience and expertise makes our family law team a force to be reckoned with. We can deal with complex and challenging cases. Our family law solicitors also have great relationships with barristers’ chambers and with mediators, so if your case requires the involvement of other experts we can arrange that.
Is there any point in having a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement may not be the most romantic of gestures, but it can be a valuable, practical tool for protecting assets in the event of divorce. These agreements set out the way in which a couple’s assets should be split if the marriage does not last. While they are not legally binding, it is quite common for their terms to be enforced - or to at least be influential when it comes to a court deciding who should get what.
We are divorcing. Do I have to go through mediation?
No, mediation is voluntary. However, we usually advise clients to give it a go. A mediator is an independent third party, often able to help a divorcing couple reach agreement on issues around money or children, for example. In cases of a successful mediation, the court will not have to get involved.
What reasons will i have to give in order to obtain a divorce?
There are only certain facts on which someone can rely in a divorce. The law in relation to this is changing, but currently these are:
- Unreasonable behaviour;
- Adultery;
- Desertion;
- Living apart for more than two years, and both parties agree to the divorce; or
- Living apart for more than five years.
You also need to have been married for at least 12 months before being eligible to divorce.
What if my partner and I can’t agree where our children should live?
In every divorce or separation, the parties are encouraged to put the needs of their children above all else. That is the approach that the court will take if it is asked to step in and decide whether a separating couple’s children should live with their mother or their father, and how the arrangements for contact with the other parent should look.
It is not necessarily the case that a court would decide that the children should live with their mother. The decision should involve a thorough assessment of what would be in the children’s best interests. It is quite often difficult for parents to step back and view this from anything other than their own perspective. That’s entirely understandable. However, it is important to bear in mind that where the parties cannot agree, and if mediation proves unsuccessful, the decision will be placed in the hands of a judge or magistrate.
Will I get half of my spouse's pension?
Not necessarily. As with other assets of the marriage, a pension is something that could be shared. However, there are other ways of dealing with pensions, and each partner’s individual circumstances - not least his or her own financial position - would be assessed as part of the court’s decision (if the parties cannot agree between themselves).
I have been living with my partner, in her house, and we are now splitting up. We are not married. Will I be entitled to anything?
Cohabitees, do not enjoy the same rights as married couples. Although children will be protected largely as if their parents had been married, assets are not usually split on the same basis. In addition, if the family home is in the sole name of one partner, the other will need to prove that they are entitled to share - something that is most commonly demonstrated by evidence that they had been promised a share, or that they helped to fund the purchase price. It is the reason we advise all cohabiting couples to enter into a cohabitation agreement that sets out each party’s entitlement in the event that the relationship does not last.
We are grandparents and we are not able to see the grandchildren because their parents are separating. Is there anything we can do?
You may be able to apply to the court for an order entitling you to contact with your grandchild, although you would need to seek the permission of the court to do so. You should speak to a family law solicitor and discuss with them the best course of action.
Fees
Our family lawyers offer initial appointments on a Fixed Fee basis, to provide you with an opportunity to set out your history and current circumstances to a qualified person who will then provide you with initial advice tailored to your situation. After your initial meeting, we can provide a more detailed estimate of your potential costs. We also keep you updated on costs throughout your matter and provide a schedule of costs each time we bill.
Please note Chattertons do not take on Legal Aid cases.
Find our more here.
Contact us
If you would like to talk to a member of our specialist Family Law team please contact your local office or complete our online enquiry form.