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Family Law Solicitors

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. We have an in-house qualified Mediator, and you can find out more about this alternative means to resolving disputes here.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

Mediation is a voluntary process used during separation in which family members sort out any differences face-to-face with the help of a neutral third party, the Mediator.  Using Mediation can help to settle arrangements for the future of the family without having to go to Court to resolve the dispute.

Our role is to help you find a way to resolve your problems in a way to suit everyone  involved. Mediation can take less time than protected court proceedings and therefore be less costly for everyone involved.  In our experience, people also find mediation to be less stressful than going to Court. Find out more here.

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.

Finances

What is a Separation Agreement

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Finances

Prenuptial Agreements

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Finances

A guide to spousal maintenance

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Children

Grandparents rights

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Children

The role of a child in a court case

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Divorce and Dissolution

Divorce and the family farm

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Mediation

The Mediation Process

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Case Study: Using family mediation to resolve disagreements over contact arrangements

Butcher & Barlow LLP has its own independent B&B Mediation service, which provides alternative dispute resolution for multiple parties in...

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Case study banner

Case Study: Using family mediation to resolve disagreements over child contact arrangements

B&B Mediation Service supported two parents whose relationship had irretrievably broken down and who were struggling to address issues relating...

Read more
Case study banner

Case Study: Using family mediation to resolve disagreements over finances

B&B Mediation Service provided mediation for two parties who had reached an impasse to their divorce financial settlement. Whilst mediation...

Read more
Kevan Hankinson

Kevan Hankinson

Partner

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an image of Nicola Wingfield, a Butcher & Barlow LLP employee

Nicola Wingfield

Partner

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Caroline Cockill-Guy

Caroline Cockill-Guy

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.

What our clients say about our Family Law Service

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.

Caitlin

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.

A

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!

Colin

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.

Andy

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.

Mr T

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.

Mr B

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.

Mr A

Local practice in the town with a good track record and reputation of providing support and expert professional advice. Good informal network of satisfied clients who recommend this practice. Initial meetings are honest, clear with no pressure for the business.

The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

Caroline Cockill-Guy is a very professional and experienced Solicitor. She is very good at her job whilst also being friendly and always trying find best solution. Definitely if I need any legal help in the future, I will be contacting Caroline. I would highly recommend Caroline and Butcher & Barlow.

The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

Butcher & Barlow is the first Solicitor’s firm I ever used. I chose this firm on the recommendation of a few friends. They were very happy with the service provided. Over 12 months of cooperation with Butcher & Barlow I can say one thing, they are a top notch and very very friendly and professional law firm

The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

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