Services for you

At Parkinson Wright LLP we support the aims of Resolution, a group of practising family lawyers from all over the country who want to bring a caring and conciliatory approach to legal work arising from marriage breakdown.  As members, we subscribe to their code of practice.

We can advise on both separation and divorce – and about where to find help to save your marriage, if it’s not too late, or to cope with the break-up, if it is.  We can explain the legal process to you and discuss your options before you decide what to do.  We have solicitors who are trained mediators and members of recognised expert panels, therefore you can be assured that we have the knowledge and experience to represent your interests and those of your children and have a complete understanding of both the emotional and practical issues after a marriage breakdown.

• • After a breakdown of marriage the thought of divorce can be overwhelming, but with the right professional advice this need not be the case.

    At Parkinson Wright LLP we are here to guide you through the process, steer you clear of the legal pitfalls and offer sensitive down to earth independent advice.  We also understand that it is important to instruct a Solicitor who makes you feel comfortable and whose advice you understand, due to the sensitive and personal issues involved.

    The divorce is a relatively straight forward paper process.  It is the practical issues connected with the divorce such as what will happen to your home, where each of you will live, and arrangements for any children that give rise to complications.

    At Parkinson Wright LLP we are here to guide you through and explain the process to you every step of the way.  We will negotiate on your behalf, make sure you fully understand the legal process and discuss your options with you. We will provide you with regular updates on the progress of your case throughout the proceedings or negotiations.

• • The introduction of the Civil Partnership Act on 5 December 2005, now allows gay and lesbian couples to obtain legal recognition for their relationship by entering into a Civil Partnership.

    It is advisable to seek independent legal advice on the impact a civil partnership will have on you before entering into one.  You should consider taking advice on Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax planning; making tax efficient wills; setting up trust arrangements to preserve your wealth; and setting up 'pre-civil partnership' agreements with your partner.

• • Pensions are a complex and often misunderstood area.  Pension funds are taken into account in any financial settlement and can be valuable assets. The Court has a range of powers to deal with the division of pensions including offsetting their value against other assets and making pension sharing orders.  We can discuss the options with you.
• • It is sensible to protect your interests in the event of a marriage ending.  A Pre-Nuptial agreement is an agreement entered into before a marriage to regulate how the parties are to hold their assets while they are married and potentially, how they are to be divided in the event of a divorce.  This can provide personal security and reduce the stress should a marriage dissolve.  We have vast experience in representing the interests of anyone wishing to take this sensible approach and can work with you to negotiate agreements that fit your requirements.
• • Many couples choose to live together and have families without getting married and are under the misconception that they have the same rights as married couples.  Unfortunately, if the relationship breaks down they do not have the same rights.  The court does not recognise a ‘common law marriage’ and the rules which apply to the division of property are very complicated. We can advise on legal issues relating to children and whether or not there is a legal or beneficial interest in property based on the law of trusts.

    We can give you advice before setting up home together and can draw up a ‘living together’ or ‘cohabitation agreement’.

• • In all matters concerning children, the children’s welfare is paramount.  Sometimes, the tensions and unhappiness of a broken relationship will be focused on arguments over the children.  We understand this and will help parents reach out of court agreements wherever possible.  If problems over ‘residence’ and ‘contact’ do arise we can help make an application to the court.
• • If a local authority is concerned they may apply for an ‘emergency protection order’ or ‘care order’.  Allegations may be made that the children have been ill treated or that their parents are unable to look after them.  This is a desperately worrying time for parents.  We have Solicitors who are members of the Law Society’s Children Panel and are qualified to help you.

    Perhaps you wish to adopt a child or you are seeking contact with a grandchild or offering to help out in an emergency.  Perhaps you are an unmarried father and want to make a parental responsibility agreement or obtain a contact order or a parental responsibility order.  Perhaps you deny being the father of someone’s child – we can explain about DNA tests.

• • If you are attacked as a result of domestic violence you should firstly contact the police who may arrest your partner if a criminal offence has been committed. In a real crisis you may need an injunction. 

    There are two types of injunction:

    • A non molestation injunction, which prohibits someone from using violence against you, threatening you with violence or harassing, pestering or molesting you.
      
      
    • An occupation order which excludes the other party from occupying a home or from coming within a stated radius of it.

    We have our own domestic abuse department and if you are at risk we will make it our priority to discuss all possible ways of keeping you and your children safe. You will not need an appointment.

    Sometimes the Local Authority may become involved with your family.  This is a desperately worrying time for parents.  We have members on the Law Society’s Children Panel, and we are qualified to help you.