Diana Copestake
Partner
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"Thank you Diana, and thanks you very much for all you have achieved for me, I am extremely grateful."
(Ms N, Derby)
Diana has advised people for over 35 years on all aspects of family law. She has developed particular expertise in advising on the financial consequences of marriage and relationship breakdown, taking into account family businesses, companies and pension provisions.
Diana has a wealth of experience of dealing with issues relating to arrangements for children and tends to deal with these in a practical manner. She advises clients of the realistic prospects of any application, taking into account the welfare of the child or children. She also advises on pre and post nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, divorce and applications under the Children Act.
Diana joined the firm’s family team in 2009 having worked for Gadsby Coxon & Copestake, which merged with Nelsons in 1999, since 1982 i.e. a total of 26 years. She is a member of Resolution and is a trained collaborative lawyer; offering you choice of trying to resolve the matter without court involvement.
Diana is listed as a Recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 (2020 edition).
Learn more about our Family Law services
Legal Services
Family Law
Diana recognises the emotional impact of the breakdown of a relationship. While fully understanding this, she encourages people to try and move forward as amicably as possible without the need for court intervention. She aims to achieve constructive legal solutions in a quick and cost effective manner for her clients. Where this is not possible, Diana is more than capable of representing her client in the court process to achieve the best outcome possible.
Recent Work
- Successfully advised and guided a client through the court process where the only asset was his company interests held in Europe. This enabled him to retain those company interests free of claim.
- Successfully assisted a client who had come to England from the USA with no assets. Diana helped her to secure a lump sum payment to enable her to purchase a property in the UK following the breakdown of her marriage.
- Applied for and obtained for a mother’s leave to change the surname of her son, where the father had parental responsibility – an unusual order to obtain except in exceptional circumstances.
Collaborative Practice
If mediation doesn’t feel like the right option for you then collaborative practice might better suit your circumstances, this is a process where the lawyers work together with you and your partner, as a team, to resolve the issues in face to face meetings.
Click here to download our Collaborative Practice print-out guide
Civil Partnerships
Diana can advise on Civil Partnerships.
Click here to download our Civil Partnerships print-out guide
Cohabitation Agreements
Diana can help cohabiting couples.
Pre & Postnuptial Agreements
Diana also works with couples interested in preserving wealth with the preparation of pre and post marital agreements.
Click here to download our print-out guide to Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements
How to get a Divorce
Diana has developed particular expertise in advising on the financial consequences of marriage and relationship breakdown, taking into account family businesses, companies and pension provisions.
Financial Issues - How do I Resolve?
If you are dealing with financial issues in court, Diana can advise on what factors the court would take into account.
Click here to find out how to sort out your finances
Recent Work
- Successfully advised and guided a client through the court process where the main asset was the client’s company. This was worth several million pounds and he wished to retain it at all costs.
Pensions & Divorce
Diana can advise on pensions and divorce.
What if I have to go to court?
If you are dealing with issues in court, Diana can advise on what factors the court would take into account.
Arrangements for Children
Diana has a wealth of experience of dealing with issues relating to arrangements for children and tends to deal with these in a practical manner.
Taking a Child Abroad
Diana can advise on taking a child abroad.
School Appeals
We can guide you through the process, form completion and preparation for the hearing to ensure your best possible case is presented to the tribunal.
Child Maintenance & Appeals
Sorting out the financial consequences arising from divorce can be difficult and confusing. There have been various attempts to simplify the system and improve the quality of the service given to families through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). However, calculating payments isn’t always straightforward.
Making a Will after Divorce
If you are in the process of getting divorced or your civil partnership dissolved, we would always recommend that you discuss whether it is appropriate for you to either update your Will or make a new Will if you do not have one.
To contact Diana or for more information…
Call: 0345 272 5674
Mobile: 0776 651 2704
Fax: 0345 634 1733
Or email: Send an email
- Resolution Collaborative Lawyer
“I really do appreciate your guidance and help throughout what has been a difficult time. You were always calm, assured and steady which left me plenty of room to be the exact opposite at times. My granddaddy had a couple of ways to sum up quality people—they would ‘do to hunt with’ (meaning they could be trusted alone, with a gun in the woods) and they have ‘walking around sense’ (meaning they were savvy in the ways of people and life). You have both qualities and my granddaddy would have thought highly of you. As do I.”
(Mrs C, Derby)
“Thank you Diana, and thanks you very much for all you have achieved for me, I am extremely grateful.”
(Ms N, Derby)
“I wanted, now back in the office and with access to my PC to thank you properly for conducting this tortuous financial settlement for me. You have really been a great comfort and I am very relieved to have achieved an agreement which allows me to move on with my life.”
(Mr O, Derby and Europe)
Client service
‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.
Talk to us
Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?
Contact: 03301 001 014