F Barnes are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No’s 46609 and 46610

Family

Our Family Law specialists

Tiina Juhanson

Gemma Hodder

Katerina Mavroudis

Our Family department has been established since the early 1970’s and we are extremely proud of its reputation in this field of law.  We were one of the first firms in the area to obtain a Legal Aid franchise and one of the first to have a Law Society Family Panel member and a Solicitors Family Association (now Resolution) accredited specialist.

There are a wide variety of issues that are covered by Family Law and detailed below are some of the most common ones:

Divorce and relationship breakdown

We know that the breakdown of a relationship is extremely sad and stressful and we are here to guide and help you through this difficult time in your life.  We have the necessary expertise and – as importantly - the ability to provide a personal and compassionate service.

For more information, please see our Divorce Page.

Children

Often when there is a relationship breakdown, couples can get very angry with each other and then cannot agree arrangements for their children, whether this be who the children are to live with, how often and for how long children should spend with the other parent or, what school the children are going to attend.  We are here to help you with these difficulties.

It is not only parents who need assistance, grandparents will also often have difficulty in seeing their grandchildren and we can assist here as well.

For more information, please see our Children Page

 

Disputes over Home Ownership

When couples break up, often they can’t agree on what happens to the family home.  It is also becoming more and more common for parents to provide money to their children to buy houses and what happens if the parents want this money back?  Parents also quite often transfer property into their children’s name on the basis that they will continue to live in the home.  What happens if there is an argument and the children then want them out?

In all these situations, it is important to have legal advice and this is an area we specialise in.

 

Domestic Violence and Harassment

We all have the right to live our lives in peace and if you are a victim of intimidation, harassment or domestic violence, F Barnes can help.

Our dedicated Family Department can take immediate action to safeguard you and your children by obtaining non-molestation orders or occupation orders.  These will prohibit a person from using or threatening violence, using intimidation, being abusive, harassing or pestering you and can prohibit them from coming within a certain distance of your home, or from entering a specific room in your home, even if they are a legal owner of that property.  Whatever your situation, we can help you.

 

Family Disputes over Inheritance

Quite often family’s fall out with each other on the death of a family member, when arguments often arise over the terms of Wills, particularly where the Will does not make sufficient financial provision for the wife, ex-wife, partner or dependant children.   These cases are dealt with under Inheritance Act proceedings and F Barnes can help you if you find yourself facing this problem.

 

Mediation

It is best if problems can be resolved as amicably as possible and so F Barnes works closely with the Mediation Services to encourage client’s to attend Mediation to resolve their disputes.

New Family Proceeding Rules came into being on 6th April 2011 and they require that where there are disputes on finances and children the parties must explore Mediation before they embark on Court proceedings. This requirement also exists for those requiring Legal Aid for Court proceedings.

 

Courts

Our Family Department deals with proceedings in Courts throughout the country and in all manners of hearing types, i.e. First Appointments, Conciliation, Directions, Fact Findings, Interim Contested Hearings, Final Hearings and Appeals and can help you with all of these matters.