family law

Matrimonial Law

The Family/Matrimonial Team at HILLS SOLICITORS is highly experienced and our relationship with every client is under the control of a partner. Our aim is to achieve the best possible results for our clients and we pride ourselves that the combination of our experience, overall service levels and legal expertise ensures that the family law team at Hills Solicitors is second to none.

• Divorce
• Separation
• Nullity

The breakdown of a personal relationship is one of, if not the, most traumatic events in any person's life. It often brings with it serious long-term implications for the parties involved, for any children of the relationship and for their collective future financial security. At Hills Solicitors we have recognised the need to support our clients through the legal minefield ahead of them when a relationship breaks down and supporting them at what is an extremely difficult and emotional period in their lives.

The financial implications are assessed;

• House
• Pensions
• Maintenance
• Assets
• Debts
• Wills

The welfare of any minor child is the most important consideration. Cases need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently, in the interests of the children. There are other areas that we can advise in respect of children, including Parental Responsibility and issues surrounding education, religion, CSA maintenance, change of name and more.

• Residence, Contact
• Parental Responsibility
• Care Proceedings
• Change Of Name
• Financial Support
• Dispute over education, holidays, emigration
• Adoption

back to top of page

Cohabitation

More and more people are choosing now to live together rather than marry. Upon the breakdown of a relationship, many cohabitees find that they do not enjoy the same financial rights and protection that a spouse enjoys on the breakdown of a marriage. There is no such thing as a "common-law" husband or wife; nothing could be further from the truth.

Instead, the financial issues particularly relating to property are resolved through legislation relating to land and trusts. This is a very complicated and specialised area of law, upon which we are able to advise.

Another option which cohabiting couples may consider is entering into an agreement at the start of the relationship. This would then regulate what happens to their property and assets, if the relationship breaks down. It is often said that prevention is better than cure, and a Cohabitation Agreement is a way that parties can help to protect their interests and assets and potentially save legal costs in the future.

• Formal Agreements prior to cohabitation
• Separation Agreements
• Property & Financial Disputes
• Inheritance Act claims following death of a partner
• Declarations of Trust

We employ Solicitors who are members of the Law Society Children Panel and Solicitors Family Law Association

back to top of page

Contact us now for a FREE initial "Half Hour" consultation.

Sanchita Chakrabarti - Bolton Office: 01204 388 300