Expert family law solicitors
If you are going through a relationship breakdown or dealing with issues relating to children, you will likely require a knowledgeable and understanding family law solicitor. At John Donkin Solicitors, we offer a full range of family law services.
We have been helping families in Gateshead, Washington and the North East for more than 50 years and we have a reputation for both our outstanding service and the excellent legal advice and representation we provide.
Our family lawyers understand that you may be going through a difficult time and we will always handle matters sensitively, ensuring you have the guidance and support you need. We will work with you to establish what is of most importance to you and take the necessary steps to secure the best possible outcome.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Advanced Family Law work in recognition of our expertise and high service standards. Our advice will be clear and practical and, wherever possible, we work to resolve matters out of court. This is faster and cheaper than litigation and can help avoid any escalation in conflict.
If you are looking for the best family law solicitor in Newcastle, call us on 0191 416 2182 (Washington) or 0191 495 2896 (Gateshead) or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
“I was recommended by a friend to contact this firm over some family matters and I was not let down. The whole team where fantastic, always available and always offering advice. I would highly recommend graham and the team I will use again as I felt I got excellent value for money.”
Our family law services
We offer extensive family law services, including:
- Divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships
- Financial orders
- Arrangements for children
- Specific issue orders
- Prohibited steps orders
- Separation agreements
- Domestic violence
- Non-molestation orders
- Occupation orders
- Prenuptial agreements
- Postnuptial agreements
- Cohabitation agreements
- Declarations of trust in relation to property
Divorce and civil partnership dissolution
We offer help and representation at every stage of the divorce and separation process, from initial discussions to obtaining a final order.
You will need to deal with related matters alongside a divorce or dissolution, including have a financial order made. We can advise you on all associated issues and ensure that each step is dealt with in the right order.
Financial orders on divorce
If you are divorcing or dissolving your civil partnership, you must have a financial order made setting out how your assets and liabilities will be split. Without a financial order, your former partner could make a claim against you at any point in the future.
We can negotiate with your former partner’s solicitor to try and agree on financial matters out of court. Where necessary, we can discuss alternative methods of dispute resolution such as mediation.
If an agreement can be reached, we can ask the court to seal this, making a binding financial order. If an agreement is not possible, we can apply to the court for an order.
Child arrangements
Making arrangements for children following a separation can be difficult. We can work with you to establish what schedule you would like and negotiate with the solicitor for their other parent to try and reach an agreement.
If it is not possible to agree on matters, you will usually need to consider mediation before asking the court to intervene. We can support you through the mediation process as needed. Where it is necessary to go to court, we will prepare the strongest possible case on your behalf and work to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Domestic violence
If you have experienced domestic violence, our experienced domestic violence solicitors can step in to safeguard you. We can take immediate action to ensure that you and your children have the protection you need. This can include obtaining injunctions such as a non-molestation order or occupation order.
Prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements
If you are planning to marry, a prenuptial agreement, commonly called a prenup, can help you enter the next phase of your life on an open and honest footing. The agreement can set out how a wide range off issues will be managed, including how financial matters will be dealt with during your marriage and what will happen to savings, debts, property and inherited money should you separate.
Having a prenup can prevent misunderstandings from arising and give you a level of certainty for the future. Should you ever divorce, it can make the process quicker, more cost-effective and less contentious.
If you are already married, you can enter into a similar agreement, known as a postnuptial agreement.
For those who will be living together, a cohabitation agreement can be made, giving details of the understanding between you and how matters will be handled should you separate.
Similarly, if you cohabit in a property, you may wish to document how that property is held so far as beneficial interests are concerned – a Declaration of Trust can set out who exactly has an interest in the property and to what extent, to assist in avoiding conflict further down the line.
We draft and advise on all types of family law agreements and will work to ensure you have the right documents in place for your unique circumstances.
Contact our family law solicitors in Newcastle
If you need family law advice and assistance, please contact us today and we will do all we can to help.
To speak to an expert Newcastle family solicitor, call us on 0191 416 2182 (Washington) or 0191 495 2896 (Gateshead) or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
“Following a horrendous family matter, Graham and Sarah, acted with professionalism to deal with my case. Their diligence provided reassurance throughout. I would recommend their services to anyone who needed them.”
