Family Law Services

Since 2018, Emin Read have been pleased to offer bespoke Family Law advice and services.Laura Sherlock and Claire Tennant jointly head up the Family Law department, supported by our friendly team. Both Claire and Laura have a wealth of experience in all areas of family law and have a passion for supporting their clients to achieve the best outcome for them and their families.

Whatever your family law issues – whether it is a change in your relationship such as moving in together or becoming engaged, a breakdown in your relationship, or concerns about children, then you do not have to face it on your own. We are experienced and sympathetic specialist lawyers who will provide you with clear, concise legal advice and support throughout your case. We will take the time to fully understand your personal circumstances and will help you find practical, workable solutions in a swift and professional manner.

We are members of Resolution, an organisation committed to non-confrontational and constructive divorce and separation. We also able to offer Family Mediation and MIAM appointments.

Our aim is to find the right solution and approach for you, whilst minimising both the emotional and financial cost to your family. We offer expert legal advice on a range of family issues, including:

  • Divorce
  • Financial advice following a breakdown of a relationship
  • Civil Partnerships
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
  • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Legal separation and Separation Agreements
  • Legal advice regarding children
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Mediation

Appointments
We offer all our clients a free, 30 minute, no obligation telephone consultation. Alternatively, if you would prefer longer than 30 minutes, we offer a Consultation for 60 minutes (in person or via telephone), and confirm our advice in writing. Our fixed fee for a Consultation and written advice ranges from £200 – £225 per hour plus VAT (at 20%).

Please contact us on family@eminread.co.uk or by phone on 01323 819519.

Fees
We are committed to keeping clients informed of our costs throughout their cases. We aim to ensure our fees are open and transparent, and these are calculated by reference to the hourly rates of each Fee Earner (ranging from £200–225 per hour plus VAT (at 20%)) for all work on your case. This includes telephone calls and meetings, dealing with letters and emails and preparing documentation. For many cases, we are able to offer you a fixed fee and this will be agreed at the outset of the case. If, however, due to the nature of your case, we are unable to offer you a fixed fee, we will advise you of likely costs and keep you regularly updated.

As a rough guide, you can expect fees to start from:

Declaration of Trust

From £395 – 495 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity).

There may also be a Land Registry fee charged for registration on the property title

Divorce
Undefended Divorce as Applicant (or Joint Applicant) – £1,000 plus VAT (at 20%) (plus court fee of £593)

Undefended Divorce as Respondent – £750 plus VAT (at 20%)

Defended Divorce proceedings – starting from £2,000 plus VAT (at 20%)

Financial Matters

Pre or Post Nuptial Agreements – from £1,750 – £3,000 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity)

Cohabitation Agreement – from £850 – 1,500 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity)

Deed of Separation – £850 – 1,750 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity)

Consent Order (drafting only, no disclosure) – £850 – 1,500 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity)

Exchange of Financial Disclosure and Consent Order – £1,500 – £5,000 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity of the case, assets and negotiations)

Court fee for filing Financial Order – £53

Financial Remedy Court proceedings;

Court fee for commencing proceedings (paid by the Applicant) – £275
Counsel’s Fees for representation at each hearing will additionally be charged, and those fees will be determined upon the nature of the case and issues in dispute.

  • From application to First Appointment Hearing– starting from £2,500 – £4,500 plus VAT (at 20%);
  • From First Appointment to Financial Dispute Resolution Hearing – starting from £2,500 – £3,500 plus VAT (at 20%);
  • From FDR to Final Hearing – £2,500 – £5,000 plus VAT (at 20%).

Children Matters

Parenting Plan by agreement – £850 – £1,500 plus VAT (at 20%) (subject to complexity)

Children Court Proceedings;

Court fee for commencing proceedings (paid by the Applicant) – £232

Counsel’s fees for representation at each hearing will additionally be charged, and those fees will be determined upon the nature of the case and issues in dispute.

  • From application to First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment – starting from £1,500 – £2,500 plus VAT (at 20%);
  • From FHDRA to Dispute Resolution Appointment – starting from £1,500 – 3,000 plus VAT (at 20%);
  • If a Fact-Finding Hearing is listed, then the preparation for this stage of proceedings starts from £2,500 – 5,000 plus VAT (at 20%);
  • From DRA to Final Hearing – starting from £2,000 – 3,500 plus VAT (at 20%).

Family Law Injunctions

Court Proceedings;

Counsel’s fees for representation at each hearing will additionally be charged, and those fees will be determined on the nature of the case and issues in dispute.

  • From application to First Directions Hearing – starting from £1,500 – 3,000 plus VAT (at 20%).
  • From First Directions Hearing to Return Date (in applications without notice) starting from £1,000 – £1,500 plus VAT (at 20%).
  • If a Fact-Finding Hearing is listed, then preparation for this state of proceedings starts from £1,500 – £3,000 plus VAT (at 20%).
  • From Directions Hearing / Return Date (where this has taken place) to Final Hearing – starting from £2,500 – £4,000 plus VAT (at 20%).

Please contact us on family@eminread.co.uk or by phone on 01323 819519.

Claire and Laura provided an excellent service. They are very quick, personable and made me feel at ease during a difficult time. I was offered a free face-to-face appointment, their terms of service and a time frame up front, plus their advice in writing which was very helpful and made me feel supported. A very thorough service and I would highly recommend their services at Emin Read.