Our Family Law Services
Our family solicitors have thorough knowledge of Family and Child Law having handled thousands of cases from initial advice through to positive, amicable conclusions. Dealing with familial legal situations is stressful and upsetting as the issues you are facing are sensitive. We are here to help.
We are proud to offer legal support if you’re facing a potential legal dispute within your family. We can provide free initial advice during a telephone and have several fixed fee options if you’re preparing to divorce or dissolve a relationship.
Legal Support Tailored to your Family
Whatever you are going through, divorce, financial disputes, or arranging child custody, our solicitors work with the utmost professionalism. We get to know your situation and tailor our advice to you. Our legal advice can guide you through mediation, arbitration, meetings between partners and resolve all forms of family disputes.
Experienced in Family Matters
We have been supporting families through legal matters as their solicitors for over 40 years. Our service is driven by exceptional customer service tailored to you and your situation- so you can rest assured you are in good hands.
Here for your Family When you Need
We work with you at your time of need, around your schedule, to get you back to your life. Learn more about our Family Law Solicitors. We work confidentially and methodically for you because we understand how sensitive family issues can be. Especially when they involve children. Together we work to determine the best decision for your family unit, for every family member.
Free Telephone Assessment
During a free, initial telephone call, we will understand your family situation to work out the best way forward. Our teams are responsive and work around your schedule to give you support you need.
Professional Legal Advice with Empathy
Guiding you with the utmost professionalism, our expert partners, who specialise in Family Law, know their stuff and determine the ideal solution for every situation. They work with empathy and efficiency to deal with your legal issue. Whether you’re dealing with a separation, divorce, child custody issues, or disputes about finances, we are here for you.
What Legal Matters do we Cover?
- Divorce Proceedings
- International Divorce
- Separation Agreements
- Child Arrangement Agreements
- Financial Settlements
- Dividing Assets
- Mediation
- Domestic Abuse Cases
- Grandparents’ Rights
- Pre/post nuptial agreements
- Surrogacy Law
- Adoption Law
Legal Aid Family Solicitors
In your case, you may be entitled to Legal Aid. Legal Aid is a publicly funded government scheme which helps you to meet the costs of legal advice. It covers you for family mediation and representation in a court of tribunal. Whatever your situation, our partners carefully tailor our services to your requirements.
Who is Eligible for Legal Aid for Familial Matters?
If you can show:
- The eligibility of the case for legal aid
- The seriousness of the problem
- That you cannot afford to pay legal costs
You may get legal aid. Be mindful the eligibility for legal aid is decided on a case-by-case basis. If you need advice, we are happy to help in this regard.
What Factors Contribute to the Need for Legal Aid?
- You or your family members are at risk of domestic abuse
- You are at risk of homelessness
- You have been accused of committing a crime, or you are facing prison or detention
- You are a victim of discrimination
- You require family mediation
- You are adding legal arguments
- You are bringing a case under the Human Rights Act
How do I know if I need Legal Aid?
You can use this tool from the government website to check your eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
Someone on low income might also be eligible for Legal Aid. Our experts will be able to offer initial advice on whether you need Legal Aid. This is done through a standard means and merit assessment. Once sorted, our teams will start on your case, working thoroughly and professionally to get the best outcome.
Fixed Fee Packages
To make financing legal matters simpler, we offer a range of fixed fee packages so you can plan ahead. See our Family Law Fee breakdown.
What is Resolution First for Family Law?
Resolution First for Family Law is a campaign by Resolution. It is a revolutionary way of working through a divorce in a new, amicable approach. Both partners will work with the same solicitor to agree on any disputes on all matters- including children or finances. The process is now much more constructive and gives you peace of mind as you work through a difficult time.
What is Resolution?
Resolution is a community of professionals who constructively resolve typical family issues. Our family solicitors hold membership of this community and stay up to date on the latest solutions. This means you will get a trusted professional heading up your case.
What are the benefits of Resolution First for Family Law?
- All information is shared between parties so there is no strategy or “one-upmanship.”
- No back and forth, saving time and getting a resolution much faster.
- Zero conflict, as you work together as a team.
Who is Suitable for Resolution First?
Resolution First is not suitable for everyone. Couples who have moved past animosity or are ready to move forward together amicably are best suited to this approach. You and your partner may have already been separated for some time. This makes it easier to work constructively. Splitting up from a partner is a highly emotional and challenging time. Our case handlers make sure you are comfortable throughout the process and that you feel supported.
Family Law Issues Involving Children
There are many Family Law issues which involve children. Facing a situation like this can be overwhelming. You have your child’s best interests at heart, and so do we as we navigate to the best solution. As this is a specialist area, we have a section on our site dedicated to solving Child Law issues.
Why choose Sternberg Reed as your Family Solicitors?
Our partners, Soulla Kokkinos, Elizabeth Bendall, Andrew Crossley, Yvonne Snow, Amanda Mansbridge, Suna Derin Kursun, Julian Beard, Gordon Reed, and Francesca Clay, are all experts in Resolution First for Family Law. Over their careers, they have worked with many families to find the best solution and to ensure there is no bad blood between the parties.
40 Years of Experience
We have been providing family solicitors to individuals for over 40 years now and are proud to say we have a recommendation rate of 99%. The structure of our team means we have highly experienced solicitors at every level so you can expect on the best.
Deep Understanding, Expertise, Exceptional Customer Service
A deep understanding of your situation paired with our expertise in Family Law matters and exceptional customer service makes us the best choice for you. We strive to put you in the best situation going forward so that you can move on.
Advice you can Trust
Over these years we have provided numerous amounts of impartial, practical advice which moves families forward. We support families because we believe no family unit is at its best with legal issues hanging over them. Our work is driven by providing guidance for families to improve their circumstances.
Confidential Advice
You can expect full confidentiality from us as we oversee your case. We have many options to get into contact with us to suit your needs. You can call us on 0208 591 3366, or, if this does not suit your situation, you can fill in our online enquiry form and organise a Zoom call or in-person appointment.
Accreditation
We hold family and child law accreditations and a Resolution First membership. This means we are experts in handling family law cases, taking special consideration to the best options for children and working on amicable resolutions for families.
Saturday Legal Advice Clinic
If it suits you better, you can book into our Saturday Advice clinic. Half an hour slots are available from 9am to 11am every Saturday. These appointments are fully remote so you can attend them from home. You can book these through our enquiry form.
Our Approach
Our teams of solicitors work hard with you to understand your needs. We are transparent about our pricing so you can plan finances accordingly. A friendly, empathetic approach minimises the stress from your situation. You can expect sensitivity, professionalism, and expertise from us when providing your family with legal services.
Our Work
Our solicitors work tirelessly for you and your family to get you through a difficult period. We are available throughout the week to provide initial advice, and you can use our site to compare prices and plan ahead. We support your family unit, taking into consideration each family member’s needs and addressing them all with positive outcomes.
Our Clients
We work with families of all sizes across London, Essex and Kent. Where possible, we work with both partners or parents to come to amicable solutions to common Family Law problems.
Family Law FAQs
Family law covers a range of legal matters pertaining to the family unit. Including, but not limited to, divorce, child custody, and financial disputes. Whatever your issue, our team work thoroughly on your case with empathy, focusing on delivering outstanding customer service and a positive outcome. We remove a degree of stress from the situation, allowing you to move on from unpleasant family situations.
Family law can be complicated and sensitive. It involves your emotional well-being, your children, and your finances. You can count on us to deal with your case with empathy and stringent professionalism. We remove legal jargon and focus on positive outcomes.
The pandemic and subsequent lockdown changed many aspects of our lives, including the UK Court System. Back in 2020, the Court Service announced that a Cloud Video Platform (CVP) would be used in both the Crown Magistrates’ Courts and the Civil Courts. This opened the opportunity for more courts across the country to extend opening hours and deal with the high volume of cases. Many hearings are still conducted over CVP, making proceedings easier for everyone. At Sternberg Reed we have dealt, and are currently dealing with, with multiple remote hearings. Our teams are well adapted to this way of ‘attendance’ at trial and can support you preparing for court cases being conducted online. You can be confident in our ability to handle all cases efficiently and with professional rigour.
Effective use of online technology has never been more important, and here at Sternberg Reed we recognise that incorporating this into our work is crucial in providing you with excellent legal advice. That is why we welcome the online divorce procedure. It is often much quicker than the traditional paper method and easier to attend. Our solicitors can guide you through the online divorce process virtually, to ensure each step is carried out accurately and promptly and on your schedule.
The no-fault divorce bill became part of our law in Autumn 2021. This was a long-awaited development in Family Law; It makes divorce proceedings simpler and quicker. Now, those wanting a divorce, will no longer have to rely on one of the “Five Facts”: Adultery, unreasonable behaviour, two years separation with consent of the other party, five years separation and desertion. The bill made it necessary to demonstrate that the marriage has irretrievably broken down without referring to the “Five Facts” to initiate divorce proceedings. This removes the ‘blame game’ where one member of the marriage had to take responsibility for the breakdown of the marriage. It provides divorcing couples a better chance at resolving matters amicably, allowing everyone involved to focus on important aspects of their relationship such as any children.
As members of Resolution, our Family Law teams quickly set about implementing a revolutionary way to amicably resolve Family Legal Matters: Resolution First. We have now worked as a team, with both partners, to resolve legal issues peacefully in multiple cases and the results are fantastic. Divorce doesn’t need to be an uncomfortable, messy situation if two partners can agree to split amicably.
Our team of highly trained and experienced Child Law Solicitors have been helping families for years; Bettering family units and improving the wellbeing of children with solid legal services. We work with you to find the best arrangements for your children whatever you family is going through. Whether that is after a separation, dealing with care proceedings, or during surrogacy or adoption, our experts always prioritise a child’s welfare and stability.
Liaison with Police and Social Services
We can liaise with the police and social services on your behalf, ensuring you and your children are fully supported. If court applications become necessary, our family solicitors will guide you through every step of the process.
Our Child Law Services
Our wide-ranging experience in Child Law ensures we can provide both general legal advice and specialized support. Our services include:
- Adoption Solicitors: Guidance on adoption laws and processes.
- Child Contact Arrangements: Support for those seeking contact with children they have meaningful relationships with.
- Child Custody Solicitors: Helping separated parents reach amicable custody agreements.
- Child Emigration: Advice on legal requirements for relocating children abroad.
- Declarations of Parentage: Assistance in obtaining legal recognition of parentage.
- Grandparents’ Rights: Support for grandparents seeking involvement in their grandchildren’s lives.
- Guardianship After Death: Applications for guardianship following the death of a parent.
- International Adoption: Expert advice on navigating international adoption laws.
- International Child Abduction Solicitors: Immediate action and support in child abduction cases.
- Parental Responsibility: Guidance on obtaining and understanding parental responsibility.
- Special Guardianship Orders: Assistance with obtaining guardianship for children in care.
- Surrogacy Solicitors: Navigating the complexities of surrogacy laws.
- Taking a Child Abroad: Legal advice for international travel with children.
- Unlawful Removal of a Child within the UK: Immediate action to ensure your child’s safe return.
General Child Legal Issues
Whatever the issue, our expert family solicitors are here to help. We aim to resolve disputes quickly and amicably, avoiding court proceedings whenever possible. When necessary, we provide expert advice and representation in court for issues such as Specific Issue Orders.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid is available for eligible families, particularly those who have experienced domestic abuse. For others, we provide affordable solutions, including fixed fees. This information can be found on our fees and funding page.
Trusted by Families
Our clients trust us because of our proven track record and dedication to their needs. We work hard to build strong relationships and resolve disputes constructively.
“My relationship with Sternberg Reed became strong very quickly. They offered support when needed and were always available. They believed in me and resolved the issues quickly so our family could finally move forward.” Jeanine, a recent client of ours.
A Strong Record of Success
We have a history of achieving positive outcomes for families in difficult circumstances. With your child’s best interests at the forefront, we ensure your family is supported through to resolution.
Flexible Support for Your Family
We understand the challenges of balancing legal issues with daily life. Our solicitors simplify complex legal matters, remove jargon, and work around your schedule while respecting your family’s needs.
Our Approach
We tackle your legal issue with professionalism and a focus on your child’s safety, your emotional wellbeing, and the best possible outcome. From the moment you contact us, we act quickly and keep you informed at every stage. Here’s what another client shared:
“What impressed me most was their personalised approach. They took the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions, and tailor their advice to my specific situation. It wasn’t just about legal jargon; it was about finding practical solutions that worked for me.”,Curtis, a client we helped resolve a child law issue recently.
Our Clients
We support parents, guardians, carers, and grandparents in protecting the rights and welfare of children. Our team is sensitive to the complexities and emotions involved, working constructively to resolve disputes and secure the best outcomes for families.
Child Law Solicitors in London, Essex, and Kent
Our services are available in London, Essex, and Kent for a wide range of Child Law cases. Call us today at 0844 800 9860 for a free initial consultation and to be paired with an expert solicitor dedicated to your case.
