Legal issues involving your family can prove very challenging to deal with, especially if you are not sure where you can turn to for support and guidance. If you are facing something as sensitive as a divorce, or disputes over child maintenance, there are guaranteed to be a range of different challenges and obstacles that need to be handled sensitively and sensibly.
At Sharp Family Law, our team of expert family law solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon understand how important it is for these matters to be approached in the right way. We work alongside you every step of the way with a clear focus on achieving positive results outside of court wherever possible. This can save you from having to go through potentially damaging and costly litigation proceedings.
No matter how complex your family law issue may appear, we will always focus on preserving the important family relationships you have built up, keeping things non-acrimonious wherever possible. We achieve this by utilising a range of different approaches to reduce the potential for conflict, such as constructive negotiation, collaborative law and mediation.
Sharp Family Law is committed to providing access to legal advice and assistance for everyone, however and wherever it is needed and in whatever way works best for our clients.
Our family lawyers in Bradford-on-Avon accept work in person and electronically, by email or by filesharing on numerous platforms. We offer conferences in person at our offices and by Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and FaceTime or other video systems, or by telephone.
To arrange an initial meeting with our family law solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon, whether that be in person or electronically, please give us a call or use our simple online enquiry form to request a call back.
- Bradford on Avon Office
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- Studio Bacchus
- 24 Silver Street
- Bradford on Avon
- BA15 1JZ
Our family law services in Bradford-on-Avon
Divorce & Separation
Going through a divorce is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can go through, regardless of whether they initiated, or are responding to, proceedings. Our family law solicitors have substantial experience and expertise in helping couples who are divorcing to make the best possible decisions, both for the short-term and long-term.
Our divorce solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon can give you clear, step-by-step guidance in relation to the legal processes involved in divorce and separation, with an emphasis on reaching an amicable agreement without having to go to court where possible.
Divorce and Finance
Dividing finances during divorce proceedings can be, understandably, a contentious matter among separating partners, which is why the right legal advice is absolutely essential.
Our divorce and finance solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon always make sure to take a constructive approach to issues associated with finances, helping you and your former pattern to reach a financial settlement that is everyone’s interests.
We have a wide range of expertise related to divorce and finances, including in relation to divorce and property.
Children and Parenting
If you have children, they will always be your number one priority when it comes to making arrangements following a divorce. You will no doubt want to make sure that their wellbeing is taken care of, but this also needs to be balanced with your rights and responsibilities as a parent.
Our children and parenting solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon offer tailored advice so that you can be sure that arrangements you make for your children are suitable. We also use our expertise in this area to reduce any potential disruption to your children’s lives, focusing on constructive discussions that will set solid foundations for your family’s future.
Cohabiting & Unmarried Couples
More and more couples in the UK are choosing to live together without marrying. While many people believe that ‘common law marriage’ gives them the same rights as married couples, this is actually a myth – unmarried couples do not have any rights to each other’s assets if they split up.
This is where creating a cohabitation agreement comes in handy for many couples, as it can legally confirm certain practicalities of your relationship. Our family law solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon can help you to create a cohabitation that gives you and your partner peace of mind for the future, reducing the potential for any disagreements.
Our team can also help you and your partner to create a prenuptial agreement (prenup) if you are soon to be married, or a separation agreement if you intend to stop living together.
How we help to resolve family law matters in Bradford-on-Avon
Collaborative Divorce
The collaborative process allows couples to avoid the emotionally charged setting of divorce courts and instead places a focus on private negotiations behind closed doors with specifically trained lawyers working together to guide the process over time.
The collaborative or ‘four-way’ process involves both you and your former spouse, as well as your legal representatives, working together via a series of ‘four-way’ meetings to reach a voluntary agreement on the practical details of the family law matter – for example, arranging your finances or deciding on what will happen to your children.
At the start of the process all four participants agree to work together to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome as well as agreeing that they will not ask a court to decide any issue. If either party does seek court intervention, the legal representatives must withdraw.
Naturally, this provides an incentive and a commitment from all parties to make the process a success. There is no formal timetable with this process, and it does give parties flexibility and control over the procedure and subsequent outcome.
Constructive Negotiation
Our Constructive Negotiation solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon can bring families together to engage in round-the-table discussions which focus on reaching an out-of-court settlement, before the prospect of litigation is even on the cards.
Constructive Negotiation works by having an in-depth discussion about the individual circumstances related to your family law matter and, from here, tailoring a strategy that is designed to reach the best possible solution in a non-acrimonious manner.
The stress of court intervention can often lead to families making inappropriate decisions in relation to their circumstances. In contrast, constructive negotiation allows families to find the time and space to seek out creative solutions, discussing a wide range of options which allows both parties to achieve their future goals – no matter what they might be.
The Constructive Negotiation process not only relies on getting to grips with your goals, but it also helps to you to better understand what the other parties’ ambitions are, significantly reducing the chances of miscommunication and conflict.
Family Meditation
Family mediation involves family members (for instance you and your former partner) coming together to discuss a matter over a series of meetings, with the assistance of a neutral family mediator. The role of the mediator is exactly that – to mediate. They are present to identify the potential issues preventing you from reaching an agreement and explore the alternative options available to you.
Richard Sharp, Senior Partner at Sharp Family Law, has 25 years’ experience helping couples and families to solve a wide range of issues through family mediation.
Court Litigation
Sometimes, court proceedings are unavoidable, even after other methods of alternative dispute resolution have been explored. Whether it is because of a contested financial matter, or a child support issue, heading to court may be the most strategic way of securing the right outcome.
If court litigation appears to be the most logical step forward for you to achieve a positive outcome, our solicitors can offer robust representation and close personal support so you are able to come out of the other side, ready to start the next chapter in your life.
Plan your Journey
Our Bath office is located just 15 minutes from Bradford-On-Avon and you can use this link to plan your journey
Get in touch with our family law solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon
To arrange an initial meeting with our family law solicitors in Bradford-on-Avon, whether that be in person or electronically, please give us a call or use our simple online enquiry form to request a call back.