Family Law Solicitors

Would you like to learn more or speak to one of our team?

During life’s difficult times, our Family Law Team will be there to listen, guide and reassure you through the consequences of the breakdown of a family relationship. With branches throughout Cheshire and Manchester, we are the Solicitors that care, right there on your doorstep.

In a world where it would appear that answers to all your questions can be found online, we believe that there is no substitute for advice tailored to your own particular situation, which is relatable, accurate and straightforward.

We aim to get to know you, to understand your needs and objectives. By building a relationship with you based on trust and understanding, we aim to ease the emotional, and practical, burdens that come with making life changing decisions.

Butcher & Barlow believe in access to justice for all and offer a free initial assessment for most family law issues, after which we will assess your case, explain how we can help and discuss funding options. Our team is also keen to achieve a positive outcome without the need for court proceedings if at all possible. We also offer legal aid contracts where appropriate to provide cost-effective advice, and affordable, fixed-price fees wherever possible.

We pride ourselves in remaining robust yet non-confrontational, which we find can reduce costs and cause less stress for our clients.

Our experienced Family Team is made up of members and accredited specialists of family law associations including Resolution and the Law Society’s Children Law and Advanced Family Law Panels. These accreditations recognise the specialist knowledge and expertise that our family law team has in all aspects of Family Law.

What is Family Law?

At Butcher & Barlow, we always try to speak your language but occasionally have to use legal terms. Our Glossary will help you understand those phrases that may seem a little alien to everyday life.

If you would like to arrange an appointment to discuss your situation, whether that be by video, telephone or in person, please get in touch with any member of our team. Alternatively, complete our Enquiry form by clicking the link and we will call you back as soon as possible.

How can we help you?

Finances and settlements:

Whether as a result of breakdown of a marriage, a civil partnership, or a relationship where you have not been married, our team can help you resolve outstanding financial issues. If you have reached an agreement with the other party, we will assist you in getting this written into a Court Order which is binding on both parties and prevents any further financial claims. Where no agreement is reached, we will talk to you about the benefits of mediation, and if necessary, guide you through the court process. Find out more here.

Divorce / Civil Partnership and dissolution:

From the issuing of the divorce proceedings through to the grant of the decree absolute, our team will guide you through the procedure as quickly and efficiently as possible, whether you are the applicant or the respondent. It is also important that we talk together about related property and financial issues, as well as issues relating to children. Find out more here.

Children Issues:

Research has proven that if issues concerning the children can be agreed amicably and positively, this benefits the children. We therefore aim to resolve any disputes without the need to attend court, which can be costly and emotionally draining. Whether you are a mother, father, grandparents, step parents or other relative, our team can provide advice and assistance relating to contact, residence, injunctions, parental responsibility, adoption and special guardianship orders. Find out more here.

Domestic Abuse and Protection from harassment:

Sadly, domestic abuse is an issue in a large number of relationships. Domestic abuse can include physical abuse and also emotional or financial abuse. At Butcher and Barlow, our supportive team are able to advise on these sensitive issues and the support that can be put in place to assist you and your children if you are victims of domestic abuse. This includes applying to the court for non-molestation orders and occupation orders (injunctions). These orders can protect you and your children from domestic abuse and protect your occupation of a home.

Care and Social Services:

In cases where Children’s Services (Social Services) and the Local Authority are involved with your children, our specialist care team can guide you through the process, whether a parent, grandparent or family friend.

Setting up relationships:

Relationship agreements are legally prepared documents designed to give protection in the event that things do not work out as intended. They can be in the form of a Cohabitation Agreement if you are thinking of moving in together and sharing living costs, or a prenuptial agreement, whether for a marriage or a civil partnership. To ensure they are legally binding contracts and therefore enforceable, it is essential that they are prepared by a legal expert and executed in accordance with their instructions.

Prenuptial Agreements:

Entering into a marriage marks an exciting new chapter in your life. Regardless, it does come with potential complications for your finances. To ensure that you have the right protections in place, and feel more comfortable moving forward, entering into a prenuptial agreement may be a sensible decision. Find out more here.

Helpful Downloads

Finances

What is a Separation Agreement

Download

Finances

Prenuptial Agreements

Download

Finances

A guide to spousal maintenance

Download

Children

Grandparents rights

Download

Children

The role of a child in a court case

Download

Divorce and Dissolution

Divorce and the family farm

Download

Get in touch now to see how we can help.

Call us today - 0161 764 4062 Complete our Enquiry form

Kevan Hankinson

Partner

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Claire Jackson

Partner

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Angela Gleave

Partner

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Meet the
Family Law Team

Our people are what makes Butcher & Barlow what it is. Each one of our team is committed to building a solid, long-lasting working relationship with our clients across Bury, Manchester and Cheshire.

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Family Law Insights

13th Jun 2024
By Tiffany Shoesmith,

What our clients say about our Family Law Service

Thank you to you all at Butcher & Barlow for everybody's hard and sympathetic work over troublesome times. I am now back working. I feel like a new or refreshed man.

David is a very professional Solicitor. He explained everything very well. Whenever I needed to speak to him, he managed his time and listened to all my concerns and worries. I am very lucky to have him as my Solicitor. I absolutely recommend him, he is really good.

We recently needed to consult a Solicitor regarding an aspect of Family Law. Upon advice, we booked time with Angela Gleave, of Butcher & Barlow. The whole process was simple and efficient. We found Angela to be easy to talk to, empathetic, extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. She offered sound advice, an alternative perspective and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

The best Family Solicitor around in my opinion. I worked with my lead Solicitor Catherine, Nicola, who also represented me, and Laura and Mandy, for 10 months now and won my case. Always in the loop, very reliable and like I said, we won the case and got my daughter back full time!!! Thank you so much Butcher & Barlow. You really were my guardian angels throughout all of this.

I came to Butcher & Barlow on the recommendation of a friend. I feel that I was very lucky to have been helped by Claire as she is an amazing Solicitor. Not only is she very thorough and astute in her work, but I also felt that she cared. I think this is a very rare quality in a Solicitor, and whilst I was going through what I can only describe as the worst few years of my life, I was made to feel that little less alone as I knew I had Claire in my corner. I can't thank Claire enough for all the help she has given me in relation to the court hearings I have had to attend for family and financial matters. I highly recommend Claire to anyone and would defiantly go straight to Claire if I needed any legal assistance in the future. I couldn't have asked for a better turn out or a better Solicitor.

I was initially with the Runcorn branch but due to my Solicitor leaving the company, I was transferred to the Frodsham branch. Both are about the same travel time, so no real issues. Alex Williams took over my case and she was amazing, always ready to give me advice, be that good or bad. She helped make some difficult decisions easier to swallow by explaining everything in extremely simple terms. If I ever need a solicitor again (I hope not) I'll be back!

After a bad experience with a previous solicitors Butcher & Barlow were very helpful and supportive. Especially Claire who gave me all the correct Information and kept me informed throughout the process.

I found your approach to be so professional. The law can be a very confusing matter to a layman but the way you explained what was happening and the information you needed was clear. To begin with, matters are so worrying for people, but again, your reassurance to the family helped them through the worst time of their life.

I just wanted to say thank you for all your help. I have now had a full weekend with my daughter. Great progress. Thank you.

Caroline could not have been more helpful. The advice she gave was not what I was expecting as regards the split of the matrimonial home, but she explained everything so I could properly understand the legal situation. She also gave me good advice as to what I need to do for the future.

Family Law