family law

Forging a relationship of trust with a specialist family law solicitor could be one of the smartest things you do.

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Client-centred, supportive approach

In good times and bad, we are here to look after what you value the most.

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Financial expertise

No matter what your position is, it’s important to get the right advice as early as possible.

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Well known for experience in high value and complex divorces

Our family law solicitors

So, your life is taking a new direction. You may be getting married or moving into a new home with your partner. You may, however, be considering separation or divorce. No matter what your position is, it’s important to get the right advice as early as possible. 

In good times and bad, we are here to look after what you value the most. Having a legal partner by your side for significant life events will help protect you, your children, your wider family, and your assets, well into the future.

We feel privileged when people entrust such personal matters to us, and our expert family team takes immense pride in getting the best for every client, staying with them every step of the journey. After all, we chose to specialise in family law because of the satisfaction we gain from helping others.

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Our services at a glance

  • Divorce
  • Financial settlements
  • Private children matters
  • Family business matters
  • Judicial separation
  • Separation Agreements
  • Civil partnership disputes
  • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Pre-nuptial Agreements
  • Adoption
  • Special Guardianship Orders

What you can expect from us at Wilkin Chapman

You will have peace of mind that you are working with highly experienced, diligent and supportive experts who can also draw on the knowledge of the firm’s other specialist departments to bring you a service that covers all family-related eventualities, providing you with a dynamic team, whatever your situation may be.

Whatever your situation, we can help you

Our family team is highly respected for our substantial experience across all areas of family law, particularly our expertise in working on complex, high value divorce cases, involving family business structures, farming estates, trusts, pensions and the competing interests of children, parents and grandparents.

The team also has specific expertise in helping military personnel through family breakdown, where specialist knowledge of pensions is vital.

Head of department James Marsden and partner Lisa Boileau are both highlighted in Legal 500 and Chambers UK, the top UK legal guides which are compiled through a process of independent recommendations.

We are members of Resolution and our family team is well known and respected in communities throughout Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Getting married or setting up home together?

These are really exciting times in your life – marriage or moving in together are big steps and you can get caught up in a whirlwind of making plans.

  1. Cohabitation agreements

    If you are setting up home with your partner, have you thought about a Cohabitation Agreement? It may seem unromantic but having clarity over practical considerations and children can be very helpful in the long run, particularly as you do not have the same legal protection as married couples.

    Indeed, one of the most common misconceptions that we often hear is that parties who live together have the same legal rights as married couples, particularly if you have lived together for a long time and have children. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case and you could well find that even if you have been cohabiting with your partner for a very long period of time that you haven’t acquired any legal rights to share in the value of a property, investment or other assets.

    A Cohabitation Agreement is a legal document between unmarried couples who are living together, albeit that they can also be used by people who aren’t romantically linked, such as friends and siblings. The agreement, alongside a Will can set out how you will divide your property, belongings, savings, and assets should the relationship break down, one of you becomes ill or dies, significantly reducing the acrimony and legal cost for both parties. It can also cover how you will support your children, over and above any legal requirements.

    What are the differences in your rights when you cohabit with your partner rather than decide to marry? Lisa Boileau explains in our video.

  2. Pre-nuptial agreements

    If you think pre-nups are only for the rich and famous, think again! They are increasingly popular and should be considered as an extremely important part of your wedding plans, helping to make your future as certain and secure as possible.

    People who are marrying again and who have experienced an acrimonious divorce, often explore the option of a well drafted prenuptial agreement, to avoid any similar situations arising.

    Whilst often regarded as being an ‘americanism’, where the use of pre-nups are the norm, the use of Nuptial Agreements has evolved dramatically since the Supreme Court decision in Radmacher v Granatino.

    “Nuptial Agreements” refer to both ‘Pre’-Nuptial and ‘Post’-Agreements. Both are legal agreements made between two individuals either before or after their marriage (or civil partnership) has taken place, setting out how the couple wish their assets, income and pensions to be divided between them if they later separate or divorce/dissolution.

    Whilst Nuptial Agreements can often be seen as being unromantic and pessimistic we pride ourselves on making the process as smooth for you as possible, seeking to ensure that the preparation of an agreement will not overshadow your big day.

Quick contact form

Submit an enquiry and one of our team of experts will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

Or call the family law team on 01522 515946

Partner & Head of Family James Marsden 01482 398381 Beverley

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