Divorce and Family Law Solicitors in Leicester
Family law: focused on families in Leicester
Our Leicester team have a wealth of experience. We’ve all specialised in family law in our careers to date, and we’re passionate about practising it.
We understand the value of treating our clients with sensitivity and respect. It’s this commitment to compassion that sets our firm apart.
“I have been guided through the divorce process in a very thorough and caring way. I have valued this as it had been a difficult time where I have been vulnerable.”
We know that family law can be complex and stressful. So we’ll give you clear advice that’s suited to your needs and easy to understand. We’ll always keep you up to date.
Whether you’re seeking legal advice in a divorce involving complex financial disputes, wanting to know your options following a relationship breakdown, or issues relating to child contact and living arrangements (‘child custody’), we can help.
We cover:
- Divorce and separation agreements
- Dividing assets, including businesses
- Finances on divorce, including high net worth individuals and complex pensions
- Children arrangement orders: ‘contact with’ and ‘live with’ orders
- Prohibited steps orders
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
- Cohabitation agreements
- Clean break consent orders
- Special guardianship orders
Discover more at the links above, but that’s not all. Other services include:
- Applications for declaration of parentage
- Applications for parental responsibility
- Specific issue orders including applications to relocate or change schools
- Enforcement of orders
Family solicitor Leicester: our family law services
Our experienced family law team have the expertise to address a wide spectrum of legal issues. Whether it’s drawing up cohabitation agreements, safeguarding high-value assets or sorting-out childcare arrangements, your solicitor will be on hand to guide you towards achieving a fast, efficient outcome.
It’s important to seek advice early – especially in situations where there’s been a breakdown of a relationship. From the start, we’ll offer clear advice tailored to your unique needs. We’ll help you reach informed decisions in the interest of you and your family.
Initial fixed-fee consultation
We offer an initial fixed-fee consultation with a family solicitor for £300 including VAT. They’ll explore your circumstances, then give you advice based on your needs as well as a choice of next steps.
All appointments can be face to face meetings in Leicester city centre (Spa Place, in the Cultural Quarter, with free on-site parking), or through your phone or computer.
What we offer
Our team prides itself on its pragmatic and hardworking approach. All members of the team have a thorough knowledge of the law and will work to resolve your case to your satisfaction.
- Tailored advice and clear options
- We treat everyone with the utmost compassion
- Timely and regular updates
- Family law and children law specialists accredited by the Law Society
- One of our solicitors is the Chair of Resolution Leicestershire enabling advances in access to important legal updates
- Monthly and incremental bills so that you can keep track of costs
- Clear fee estimates from the start
- Access to a large network of professional contacts, including accountants, independent financial advisors, and counsellors, should you need support in these areas
In South Leicestershire?
We also have Family Law Solicitors in Market Harborough.
Send us a message
“With our personal, empathetic and professional approach, we offer the pre-eminent family law legal services in Leicester.”
David Berridge
Family Law Partner
Our divorce and family law services
David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.
Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including Child Care, Financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.
Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.
Christopher Monro
Senior Solicitor
Chris is an experienced solicitor dealing with most areas of Family and Matrimonial Law and is based at our Market Harborough office.
Gita Patel
Senior Legal Secretary
Gita Patel is a Senior Legal Secretary in the Family Law department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Leicester office.
Lorraine Lloyd
Paralegal
Lorraine is a Paralegal in the Family Department based at our Market Harborough office.
Tracey Cosgrove
Legal Secretary
Tracey is a legal secretary in the Family department based at our Leicester office.
Frequently asked questions about divorce and family law
What is the process of getting a divorce?
Firstly, the marriage must have lasted for at least one year. While the marriage can have occurred anywhere globally, divorce applications are only accepted in England and Wales if either spouse meets specific residence conditions or lives in the region.
The divorce process usually involves much ‘paperwork’ and is typically conducted online, minimising the need for court appearances. However, if one party contests the proceedings, a different procedure applies, although contested cases are uncommon.
Who can file for a divorce?
Either party to the marriage, individually or jointly, can file for divorce. In the case of a joint application, both parties share responsibility for the application and can agree on how to cover the court fees.
How long does a divorce take?
A divorce or dissolution typically requires at least six months to complete due to the mandatory 20-week waiting period in England and Wales.
However, the process may extend longer if additional issues regarding finances, property, or children need resolution, which are handled separately from the divorce application.
What is a conditional order (decree nisi)?
Once the respondent spouse acknowledges receipt of the divorce petition and at least 20 weeks have elapsed since the start of proceedings, the petitioner can apply for a conditional order, previously termed as decree nisi. This order confirms the court’s view that there are no obstacles to proceeding with the divorce.
What is a final order (decree absolute)?
Following the conditional order, a further six-week waiting period ensues before the petitioner can apply for a final order. This used to be called a ‘decree absolute’. This document marks the official conclusion of the divorce.
Do you cover complex issues involving children?
Yes, we have experienced child lawyers who have represented parents, grandparents and children in proceedings relating to the Children Act.
We often handle child law, including helping parties to try to reach agreement outside of the Court arena, as well as in Court proceedings. These might relate to child arrangements for living and contact (‘custody’). We’re also very familiar with other potential issues, like relocation, prohibitive steps, name changes and grandparents’ rights.
Why use a family law solicitor?
Family law solicitors can help you or your family members, whether you need full representation or some initial legal advice.
Why use Rothera Bray Solicitors?
Our family law solicitors in Leicester specialise in giving clear legal advice and individual guidance on divorce. That includes resolving finances following the unfortunate breakdown of a relationship.
We have a wealth of experience in dealing with matters relating to children, including but not limited to:
- the drafting of parenting plans to help you work collaboratively to co-parent following the breakdown of the relationship
- parental responsibility agreements
- applications for Child Arrangements Orders for living and contact arrangements, previously known as ‘child custody’ after divorce
- Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders to prevent an action such as relocation or removal of a child from taking place
As well, our team offer services for the drafting of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements for those contemplating marriage or married couples/those in civil partnerships, ensuring peace of mind for the future.
Where appropriate, we prioritise dispute resolution and negotiation to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients, especially in cases involving children in the Family Court.
Why should I use a local family law and divorce solicitor in Leicester?
Selecting a local family law solicitor in Leicester offers several advantages. These include personalised face-to-face consultations, a deeper understanding of local services, and better accessibility. Our family team have well established and collaborative links with the legal community in Leicester and have a clear understanding of the procedure and local practices seen in Family Courts sitting in Leicestershire.
Establishing an in-person relationship is helpful for sensitive legal matters like divorce, allowing our Leicester-based family law specialists to provide tailored support and establish a strong connection with clients.
Dividing finances during divorce: what you need to know about consent orders
One of the most challenging aspects of any separation is deciding who gets what, and how to make those decisions legally binding. Whether it’s the family home, pensions, savings, or other assets, reaching a fair financial settlement is crucial for moving forward with confidence and clarity.
Are current financial settlements fair and consistent?
With the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 – which governs marriage and divorce law in the UK and Wales – now 50 years old, a review has been commissioned. The review is to find out whether this legislation is still useful in helping the Courts and the Judiciary reach fair settlements for divorcing couples – or whether it’s time for an overhaul.
What rights do grandparents have to see their grandchildren?
In recent years applications to Court by grandparents have become increasingly common. Sadly, when relationships break down, especially acrimoniously, it often affects who the children can spend time with.
Compulsory mediation and the importance of getting advice early on family matters
With the family courts facing unrelenting backlogs due to the number of separating couples attempting to reach a settlement in court, in 2023 the government launched a consultation to determine whether mediation should be made compulsory for all ‘suitable low-level’ family court cases.
Family Law Solicitor Charley Kelly becomes new committee member for Resolution Leicestershire
Our Family Law Solicitor Charley Kelly has become a new committee member for Resolution Leicestershire.
Top Tips for Co-Parenting During the School Holidays
As some counties head into the Easter school break, our latest Child Care blog has advice on how divorced or separated parents can plan ahead to ensure smooth co-parenting during the school holidays.
My ex won’t comply with a Financial Court Order-what can I do?
Having gone through the cost, emotional stress and what can be a lengthy process to obtain a Final Order in respect of your finances following the breakdown of your relationship, the last situation you would wish to find yourself in is for your ex-partner to now not be complying with the terms of the sealed Order. In that situation what happens next and what are your options to find a resolution to get what you are legally entitled to?
A guide to Pre-nuptial, Post-nuptial, Cohabitation and Separation agreements
Having a legal agreement such as a prenuptial, post nuptial or cohabitation agreement in place might not sound like the most romantic way of ensuring that your relationship goes the distance. However, having such an agreement in place is a practical approach and provides greater certainty of your financial outcomes if the relationship or marriage comes to an end.