Our team of expert family solicitors specialises in all areas of family law. We aim to provide you with the highest level of practical, sensible family law advice ensuring you receive the best outcome for you and your family.
Good legal advice is essential but the first approach to a solicitor can be a potentially daunting experience for anyone looking for support. Lindsey Canning, Alison Gaddes and Vicky Walker make up the experienced team.
Vicky Walker, family law executive at Wake Smith Solicitors, explains why a call to this team means the start of a trusted relationship.
What does the family law team cover?
We advise on all aspects of family matters from the start of a relationship to when it has broken down.
You might be married or cohabiting, need guidance about a relationship breakdown, want help with arrangements for your children, or resolve financial issues that may arise as a result of a separation.
New relationships and marriages bring questions on asset protection, cohabitation agreements, pre-nuptial, pre-regulation agreements, marital and partnership agreements.
If you are separating you may intend on issuing divorce or civil partnership dissolution proceedings.
Why should I take legal advice?
A family law solicitor is qualified to advise you about your legal relationship situation, together with advice about your finances and children. Your situation will be unique, even if there are many issues which may be common to other peoples' situations.
Other individuals may offer you advice, whether based on personal experience or that of friends, but the only advice you should really focus on is that of your own solicitor who knows the facts of your individual case and the legal implications that you face.
You should decide whether you want to instruct the solicitor to act on your behalf; your solicitor will advise you and it is then up to you to consider this advice and then act accordingly.
Who do I first speak to?
You will speak with me first. I will put you at ease as these matters can feel very worrying when you have never been in this situation before. I will ask you to give me some details so I can assess the information and then arrange an appointment with a solicitor in the team. I take pride in quickly tuning into a client’s needs and building a relationship. It’s important that clients feel comfortable.
What’s the usual procedure for a first meeting?
We always ask clients to bring as much information as they can. That might be bank statements, mortgage statements or correspondence from solicitors that they may have received. They need to bring anything they feel is important and also a form of picture ID - for example a passport or driving licence and a utility bill with their name and address on. Most people attend alone although some bring a friend or family member. If the meeting is about children, please make childcare arrangements. Discussions about finances may take longer than advice on children. We require detailed information and prefer to work with the raw material than you preparing reports for us. Depending on the complexity, a first appointment can last between one and two hours. Emergency advice can last longer if immediate action is required.
How does correspondence work with a solicitor?
The initial meeting will offer you advice. There is no obligation to do anything. There are costs involved and you will need to decide whether you wish to proceed with the advice. Depending on the case you may need further meetings and calls. We also conduct telephone appointments but always prefer face to face meetings to start with. They offer the greatest value as we can begin to build a relationship, present the case in a way they can understand and guide them through the documents carefully. Often we become one of the most important people in a client’s life over the forthcoming months and our work is built on trust and communication with our clients. After the initial meeting the majority of contact will be by telephone, however you may need to complete documents in which case you will need to attend the office. You will be guided at your initial meeting.
Court attendance is sometimes necessary but seen as a last option.
Why give us a call?
The team is easy to speak to and very good at listening. We offer bespoke advice on individual needs. We also pride ourselves in supporting our clients in readiness for their new independent life.
The team always goes the extra mile and we often get to see the results of the help we have given.
We take time to form a relationship with clients many of which keep in touch with us.
Call 0114 266 6660 for further information.
