Divorce Solicitors for Athletes and Sportspeople
Specialist family divorce solicitors who understand the fast-paced lives of athletes and sports professionals - protecting your privacy, wealth and wellbeing while you focus on your career.
Experts in family law and divorce for sportspeople
Our family divorce solicitors for athletes and sportspeople at Freeths deal with people from all walks of life, with members of our team specialising in handling divorce, financial and children cases for sports professionals such as footballers, rugby players, track and field athletes, retired ex-players, hockey players, netballers and more.
We are ranked by both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners and respected for our “breadth of expertise”. We represent clients from all around the country and internationally with dedicated teams based in Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Oxford and London.
We can assist with everything when it comes to planning your family life and how that ties with your career in the form of cohabitation agreements, pre and post-nuptial agreements (“prenups”), and parenting plans. In times of difficulty, our experienced sports divorce lawyers can help you navigate the legal system and achieve a divorce and financial settlement as quickly and amicably as possible.
Our family divorce solicitors for sportspeople excel in achieving out-of-court settlements which remain entirely private and confidential and away from the media and public eye. Using alternate methods (Non-Court Dispute Resolution, or NCDR) such as mediation and arbitration, we are adept in bringing you and your family a resolution so you can focus on your career and life on the pitch.
We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your needs and assemble the best legal team for your case. You’ll find us approachable and supportive throughout the process.
Get in touch
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
Family solicitors for sportspeople - through the good and the bad
We have particular insight into the unique interplay between starting a family, ending a relationship and continuing a sporting career. Whether that is fluctuating contracts and bonuses, child arrangements for training camps, mid-season transfers, international relocation or the changing landscape after retirement, we can ensure that you are protected from the worst so you can focus on the future. Areas we focus on include:
- Cohabitation agreements and pre-nuptial agreements: ensure that the wealth earned during a sporting career is kept safe
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Negotiating and advising on child arrangements: Including finding solutions outside of the regular “shared weekends” to accommodate training and competition schedules and the potential for long breaks of availability and international relocation
- Wealth preservation and strategising during divorce and separation: Focusing on retaining capital and earnings, tax-efficient settlements and time-limited maintenance to ensure affordability once a playing career comes to an end
How we can help
We will guide you through the process to achieve the best outcome for you, your family and your children. If you are separating, where possible we will work with you to use a Non-Court Dispute Resolution method such as mediation or arbitration to negotiate a settlement which meets your needs and retains your privacy. Handling matters with empathy and discretion is at the forefront of what we do.
Solicitor-led negotiation is vital in ensuring that you retain control of your case with expert advice and guidance along the way. We will build the right team around you to ensure that you have the input you need but are not distracted from your sporting goals.
If you do need court or your partner issues proceedings, you are in safe hands. Our sports divorce solicitors often represent clients in court themselves and work with specialist counsel who excel in the sporting sector to support you along the way.
Specialist sporting expertise
Our family divorce solicitors understand the unique challenges of athletes, from fluctuating contracts and sponsorships to international relocations and retirement planning.
Holistic legal solutions
We work with tax, property and corporate specialists to protect your wealth and provide complete support for every aspect of your separation.
Clear communication and transparency
You’ll receive straightforward advice and upfront fee information, so you stay in control and focused on your career.
Confidential and compassionate approach
We prioritise privacy and discretion, using mediation or arbitration wherever possible to minimise stress and media exposure.
Athlete divorce FAQs
Athletes often move more than most people, and each transfer or training camp can disrupt parenting schedules and schooling. Key questions include:
- Where will your children go to school?
- Will the family move mid-season, or will one parent stay behind?
- Is there support for your children’s primary language at the new club?
- Can children travel for overseas training camps or competitions?
Early advice from a family divorce solicitor for athletes can help you plan ahead, ensuring your children’s welfare is prioritised and your career remains on track. Parenting plans and child-inclusive mediation are valuable tools for families facing relocation or separation.
When agreement can’t be reached, court proceedings may follow. High-profile cases in the media highlight the importance of confidentiality and the risks of media intrusion. Non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) is often preferable, keeping family matters private and away from the press. International moves add complexity, with competing jurisdictions and child law conventions. Confidentiality is critical - our team ensures your family’s privacy is protected.
Significant earnings can lead to complex financial claims. The “child maintenance” calculator is less applicable for those earning six figures or more. The case of Goodman v Walker [2024] demonstrates how courts approach child maintenance for athletes. While not every sportsperson faces multi-million-pound claims, specialist advice is essential to ensure fair provision for children.
Pre and post nuptial agreements must be tailored to the realities of a sporting career - fluctuating incomes, international moves and early retirement. Private negotiation and tax planning are vital to protect your wealth and future. Advance planning and NCDR can help avoid costly disputes.
Athletes in the public eye face intense media scrutiny. Legal support is crucial to:
- Keep cases out of court
- Engage in confidential dispute resolution
- Anonymise public records
The John Terry case (Terry v Persons Unknown [2010]) is a stark reminder of the risks to privacy. Our team is experienced in protecting clients from unwanted publicity and ensuring family matters remain private by keeping your information confidential and where possible, out of the court sphere.
Key family law considerations for athletes
We now have a no-fault divorce process which means if you do find yourself separating, there is less risk in being accused of inappropriate behaviour which often had a devastating impact on family and public life.
No-Fault divorce allows parties to jointly agree to separate and that no one is to blame. This avoids lengthy (and costly) litigation and allows parties to focus their energies on their children and their financial future.
When considering child arrangements, the welfare of your children is paramount. We work with you to consider what is best for your children and maintaining your relationship. Where possible we can help you design a parenting plan that works for your unique circumstances.
If you face separation, the court will consider your needs, resources and a range of other factors (the “Section 25” factors). What we find is often overlooked is that a sporting career may not stretch into state retirement age as a more traditional role. We advocate for tailored settlements that don’t just work now, but for every stage of life.
Testimonials
"I’ve found Freeths to be sensible in their approach, realistic with clients, and good at avoiding unnecessary conflict. They also strike the right...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The practice is unique is my experience because of the spread of regional locations, which has led to a very specific knowledge of local markets,...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The team have taken steps to contain my costs when necessary and have responded in a clear and concise fashion to my queries."
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"The Freeths team have an excellent manner of handling big cases with a personal touch and being able to advocate for their client strongly without...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"The department is very understanding with emotional issues people are going through. I felt they were very professional, helpful, kind and knew wh...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"Freeths has a real breadth of family specialisms and collectively significant experience in the field of family law, particularly on complex finan...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
Related news & articles
Explore our library of legal articles covering every aspect of family law, from divorce and child arrangements to financial settlements and prenuptial agreements, designed to keep you informed and empowered
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Meet our team
Stephanie Kyriacou
Managing Associate
Gemma Nicholls-Webber
Managing Associate
Stephanie Clifton
Senior Associate
Alexandra Haworth
Senior Associate
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