We offer a free, no obligation consultation to answer your questions and discuss your needs and goals. You can book a free appointment by calling us on 01509 232611 or via email here.

At BWS Law, we understand that family law matters can be emotionally challenging and complex. Whether you simply want to know your position for the future, are facing the consequences of a relationship or marriage breakdown, need advice about children’s issues or domestic abuse, or want help with a family law document such as a nuptial agreement, our expert team is here to offer compassionate guidance and representation. We are equipped to assist with a wide range of family law matters.

Here's how we can help

Separation and divorce/dissolution

Our experienced family law solicitors provide comprehensive support throughout the divorce or separation process, including same sex marriages, helping you to navigate complex legal and financial considerations while safeguarding your interests. We can talk to you about your rights and the divorce process before you make any decisions and assist you with the application from the outset through to the final stages.

You may want advice about a separation agreement and our experts can talk to you about that too.

Children matters including living with and contact arrangements - ‘Child Arrangement Orders’

BWS Law recognises the importance of putting the best interests of children first. We support clients in matters relating to children where parties need help to agree where the children should live, who they should spend time with and on what terms, following the unfortunate breakdown of a relationship. It is widely recognised that children can suffer the effects of a separation/divorce if it is not handled sensitively and properly. Our team are specialists in ensuring that any impact on children is kept to a minimum wherever possible.

We work closely with other family professionals and will guide you through discussions with your ex to try and reach an agreement. That might include engaging the help of a family mediator.

We can help you to draw up a parenting plan agreement or to obtain a Court order if necessary.

Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Parental Responsibility

Sometimes families need other remedies where children are concerned. A prohibited steps order is an order to stop the other person from doing something without the other’s consent or permission of the court. This might include taking a child out of school, relocating the child(ren), changing their name or to prevent medical treatment, amongst other things. A specific issue order is an order to compel the other person to do something, for example return the child(ren) to the primary carer’s care, hand over passports, to allow a name change, or to attend a certain education provider, amongst other things.

Where a person needs or is entitled to parental responsibility, our team can help with applications for an order, declarations of parentage and parental responsibility agreements. That can include other family members that have care of a child such as stepparents, grandparents and other guardians.

Special Guardianship Orders

Our specialist Solicitors have the knowledge and experience to advise and assist clients in obtaining Special Guardianship Orders. A Special Guardianship Order provides for a child’s long-term care where they cannot be cared for by their parents. This is often grandparents, other family members and long-term foster carers. As part of the process, we will assist clients in ensuring they receive the right support from the local authority prior to and after the order is made. We do not offer legal aid but we often secure private payment of legal fees through the local authority.

Financial Settlements

Our team provides expert advice and negotiation skills to help you achieve a fair financial settlement following a divorce or separation. We take into account your individual circumstances, including capital assets such as property and savings/investments, businesses, income and pensions, as well as ensuring that any debt is shared appropriately, to protect your financial future.

Our specialist solicitors we help you navigate the often emotionally fraught process of understanding the marital finances and how they should be divided fairly for everyone involved, keeping any children at the forefront.

We work closely with divorce coaches, mediators, financial experts and other professionals to ensure that we can help you achieve the best outcome on all fronts, so that you can rebuild your life, and the lives of any child(ren) for a positive future.

TOLATA and Schedule 1 applications following separation (unmarried couples)

Our expert team can advise and assist you to ensure that finances are dealt with properly following the breakdown of a relationship of unmarried couples. This might include distributing property or ensuring appropriate financial provision for children.

Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements, and Cohabitation Agreements

We offer guidance and assistance in creating agreements that protect your assets and clearly outline financial arrangements in the event of a divorce or separation. This can include a pre-nuptial agreement that will be prepared before a marriage, and post-nuptial agreements that can be created after the marriage has taken place.

Where parties do not intend to marry but wish to protect their assets, a cohabitation agreement can be drawn up.

These are all specialist documents, that if not prepared properly, will not hold the necessary weight if later relied on in court. It is crucial that you have these prepared by an expert solicitor such as a member of our team.  

Domestic Violence and Protective Orders

If you are a woman or a man experiencing domestic abuse and need advice/assistance to protect yourself and/or children, or require a protective order such as a Non-Molestation Order or Occupation Order, our compassionate solicitors can help you obtain the necessary legal protections, prioritising your safety and wellbeing. You may wish to talk to one of our solicitors prior to taking any steps, to know your position, and we can help with that discreetly and confidentially.

Adoption and Surrogacy

BWS Law understands the complexities of adoption and surrogacy processes, to include obtaining Parental Orders where required. Our dedicated team offers support and guidance, ensuring all legal requirements are met as you pursue creating or expanding your family.

Paternity and DNA Testing

If there are questions regarding paternity, our solicitors can guide you through the process of obtaining DNA testing, ensuring accurate parentage is established and legal rights and responsibilities are addressed.

Change of name deeds

If you, or your child, would like to change your name, we can advise and assist you through the process of doing so, including contacting another person with parental responsibility to obtain their consent, and preparing the documentation. You will be provided with several copies to send out, and we can advise you as to where they need to be sent to.

Team Members

Contact our team

via this form or call 01509 232611

Comprehensive legal services for businesses and individuals in the East Midlands with over 40 years of experience.

Specialist Resolution Solicitors

Resolution is an organisation committed to following a non-confrontational and constructive approach. The Code of Practice promotes a constructive approach and considers the whole family, in particular the children.

At BWS Law, our empathetic and skilled family law team is committed to helping you through the challenges that can arise within relationships. We approach every case with sensitivity, offering practical solutions and clear guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. Contact us today to discuss your family law needs and discover how we can assist you in achieving the best possible outcome.

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What our clients say about us

4.6
Based on 117 reviews
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Professional and friendly service throughout our house sale by Clare. Regular updates and proactive follow up with our buyer that absolutely helped speed up the whole process.
I have used Clare Swinfield for conveyancing work for a number of years on numerous property transactions. She is always very punctual, efficient, and gets outcomes achieved. Would highly recommend.
The level of service received is excellent. From beginning to end, all aspects were dealt with promptly, efficiently and professionally. Erica Brownen dealt with a personal house sale, Nicola Stephenson is currently dealing with a commercial land sale and has previously acted on another commercial land sale for my employer's. Both solicitors are the best I have ever used. All staff are friendly and helpful. Communication is second to none, there is no waiting for days to get a call back or email response.Charges are very reasonable and thoroughly explained, with no hidden extras that often crop up through the process.I would recommend BWS every time.
The commercial property department at BWS law is outstanding. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Nicola Stevenson has been dealing with the sale of our business premises. She dealt with it in a very efficient and kind manner in what turned out to be a very stressful situation for us. We can not speak highly enough of her and her assistant Diane Hyde at BWS Law.
Clare Swinfield is an outstanding asset to BWS Law. We are extremely happy with the service she provided us from the moment we got in touch, to our final email in our new home. She has a unique quality that cuts through all stress and provides clear information, in a professional whilst human manner.She is always available by email or phone and her response times are unbeatable. She is highly organised, very efficient and top class. We are so grateful we trusted her with one of life’s biggest stresses. We will definitely ask for her services again in the future and we will be recommending to all our friends and family.Look no further, she is excellent.Thank you so much Clare. You made this process a happy one for us.Kind regardsJames and Natasha Skilling
Highly recommend Clare Swinfield as your conveyancer with BWS who assisted me with the purchase of my first house. She was professional from start to finish, diligently answered my questions, and her service is worth the price payed. Thank you very much Clare and BWS.
Georgii at BWS Law has recently just completed both the probate and subsequent administration of my late parents estate. Her legal advice and communication throughout the entire process has been second to none, often going out of her way to get things completed on time, as well as always keeping us up to date at important milestones throughout the process. Thank you very much Georgii and BWS Law - I would definitely recommend with the highest distinction.Daniel Shaw (Dr.)
I have recently been advised and helped to write my will. Georgii Goodenough at BWS Law Solicitors guided and advised me with great skill. Her expertise was superb and her approach was empathetic. Thanks very much Georgii.
Clare has today completed the sale of my house. Throughout the entire process communication has been absolutely fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and she always kept me up to date on everything. Thanks very much I would highly recommend.
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