Oxford Family Solicitors
Ranked Tier 1 for all Family Law Matters
Family law experts
Our family solicitors in Oxford deal with more than just divorce. They are ranked in the top tier for family cases by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Our highly-regarded Oxford team were recently praised for offering “the quality of service that would be expected of a magic circle firm”.
We can assist with everything from resolving the financial issues of a divorce to making arrangements for children. As well as divorce, our friendly Oxford lawyers can guide you through pre and post-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships and cohabitation agreements. We also assist with fertility and surrogacy law, taking children abroad, child maintenance issues and school appeals.
Our family solicitors are renowned for being discreet and sensitive to you and your family’s needs. We have many years experience and will use our skill and knowledge to help you get your life back on track. Best of all, we offer legal advice and representation equal in quality to top London firms, without the London pricing.
If you’re based in Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, give our family law team a call to see how we can help.
We offer free initial consultations
We do not undertake legal aid cases but you can search for a solicitor with a legal aid contract in England and Wales here.
Experts in complex family law cases
We are particular experts in complex family law cases involving business trusts or pensions assets. Our knowledge of wealth preservation is helpful in preparing agreements for cohabitation and pre-nuptials. With specialists in tax, trusts, property, employment and company law, we have a huge breadth of understanding. Give our Oxford family law team a call today to find out how we could help you.
Guiding you throughout the process
Our Oxford family team will guide you towards the best outcome for you, your family and particularly your children. We always consider alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, collaborative law, solicitor-led negotiation or arbitration. These can help reduce your exposure to costs and delays in court.
However, if you do need to go to court, our Oxford family solicitors will ensure you are in safe hands. We will support you every step of the way and you will find us friendly and approachable throughout.
Supporting you every step of the way
- We will ensure your appointed solicitor is with you every step of the way and you can be assured that you will receive the right expertise to guide and support you throughout the process
- One benefit of practising within a multi-disciplinary team is the skill-set of our lawyers across these fields locally and nationally where appropriate
- We have the resources, experience and expertise in-house – under one roof wherever needed
Family law FAQs
How are pensions dealt with during a divorce?
When the division of pensions is being considered, a pension scheme Cash Equivalent Value may be used as a starting point. The advice of a pension actuary may be needed to look at providing an income for both parties on retirement. Often we will be looking at obtaining a pension sharing order from the court to achieve the necessary division, where a percentage of one or more of the pensions are transferred to the other person. Offsetting (where one party is compensated for the loss of pension rights by receiving other assets) or earmarking (a percentage of the pension is set aside for the ex-spouse to claim on retirement may) also be considered, which require a Court Order to be effective.
This is a complex area of law and requires careful consideration, so we ensure our clients obtain advice about the right options for them.
What is family mediation?
Rather than going to court, mediation is a flexible way of resolving disputes, arising around separation or divorce, saving time and money. Our accredited and experienced mediators resolve issues through face-to-face meetings, helping couples arrive at a solution that suits them both.
Mediation enables couples to communicate directly with each other, rather than via solicitors or across a courtroom. Our mediators act as impartial third parties whose job it is to discuss options to help craft a solution to suit both parties and their family. Common topics include childcare, co-parenting plans and resolving financial issues.
How are divorce costs calculated?
Some of the cases we deal with are very straightforward and some are more complicated. We charge for the time we spend assisting and advising clients with their divorce proceedings, and we are happy to support clients who wish to keep their legal costs to a minimum by filing their own documents. Where we are filing the documents at court for our clients, our charges are usually between £400 and £800 plus VAT.
Anyone filing a divorce petition has to pay a separate court fee which is currently £593.
To learn more about how much it will cost to sort out financial issues, please read more here.
How much will it cost to sort out financial issues during a divorce?
The cost of resolving financial issues between separating or divorcing couple depends upon how contentious those issues are between the parties. Both parties should prepare a Financial Consent Order which sets out how financial issues have been resolved to make sure that their agreement becomes binding, and if couples can agree matters between themselves then this will involve our advice in preparing in dealing with paperwork plus the court fee. Mediation can help to keep costs to a minimum, whilst resolving difference, but if agreement can’t be reached, going to court can be a costly exercise.
To learn more about how much it will cost to sort out financial issues, please read more here.
Do I have to pay child maintenance?
If you do not agree to the amount of maintenance, you can ask the CMS to re-consider and ultimately appeal the decision to an independent tribunal.
What is the purpose of a cohabitation agreement?
There is no such thing as common law husband and wife, even if you have lived together for many years. You only acquire the rights of a spouse if you marry or enter into a civil partnership. So if you separate, the only assets which you can claim against are those owned jointly, or that you have made a direct financial contribution to and about which you have agreements in place. If you are planning to cohabit, a Cohabitation Agreement outlines who will contribute towards what during the course of your relationship. This will also establish what rights you both have to each other’s assets and the future claims that you understand will or will not be made.
How do I appeal for a place for my child at school?
It is possible to appeal any decision relating to a school placement – this involves completing a written application, with evidence, where relevant. An appeal is successful if the admission criteria do not comply with the school admissions’ appeal code, if admission arrangements have not been properly followed or the decision to refuse your child a place was not reasonable.
The appeal is initially made in writing and a hearing date is set. You must comply with the appeal process and timetable. Your appeal is heard by an independent tribunal where evidence will be given about the admission criteria and how it has been applied.
Why choose our Oxford family & divorce solicitors
- We’re located in Oxford Business Park, just a short drive from the city centre with easy parking
- Both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners rank our team of family solicitors in the top tier
- By using alternative dispute resolution, we help you to avoid costly litigation fees
- If court is the only option, we will offer you robust representation, support and clear advice
- We offer a range of competitive fees, while still offering quality to rival top city firms
For further information about our Oxford family solicitors, please contact Gavin Scott, Partner at Freeths, on 0345 030 5710 or submit a secure enquiry form. Click to call Gavin Scott >
Oxford Family Solicitors
Submit an enquiry or request a callback below“Now that things finally seem to be coming to an end I thought I would take the opportunity to thank you so much for all you have done over the past five years (yes, really!). I can’t begin to tell you what a source of strength and support it was knowing you and your team – but especially you – were there in the background.”
Client testimonial
“Sources say that the team are ‘particularly impressive, extremely hard-working and approachable – a star in their field’ The team has a wealth of experience in complicated financial remedy matters, often involving trusts, tax international assets and pensions.”
Chambers & Partners
“They impress me with their diligence and conscientiousness, balancing their expertise with empathy.”
Client testimonial
“I found them warm and friendly, and incredibly efficient.”
Client testimonial
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Contact: 03301 001 014