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Cumbria and North Lancashire Solicitor - Family Law Advice
The Legal Firm with a Difference
Services
Almost inevitably, the breakdown of any family relationship will mean that there are personal and financial issues which need to be resolved. This time is often accompanied by great stress as well as high emotions - not the best of times to make decisions which may have long lasting effects. I can support you at this difficult time by offering sound and practical legal advice and assistance in all aspects of family relationship breakdown, including such areas as:
- Divorce and separation
- Maintenance claims
- Capital settlements
- Family home
- Pension sharing or splitting
- Housing needs
- Mediation
- Residence and contact with children
- Child Support
- Parental responsibility
- Separation agreements
- Breakdown of non - married relationships
My services are not just available for when relationships falter. For clients about to embark on either marriage or cohabitation, advice about pre nuptial agreements and cohabitation contracts is also available.
Whether your case is straightforward or complex, I will work to achieve the best possible outcome for you. I will keep you advised as to costs throughout and will keep you informed of all developments.
Following an initial consultation, a full written summary of my Advice will be provided. Guides to Divorce, Financial settlement and other areas will later be made available to you, where appropriate, which will help you to understand the legal process.
Resolution
Resolution is an organisation of family lawyers who, under the principles of the Code of Practice, adopt a constructive and non confrontational approach to resolving problems arising from family relationship breakdown.
The Code also requires lawyers to deal with each other in a civilised way and to encourage their clients to put their differences aside and reach fair agreements. Experience shows that agreed solutions are more likely to work in the long term than any arrangements imposed by a Court.
The approach that any Resolution member adopts should be firm and fair. The Code does not prevent solicitors from taking immediate and decisive action where necessary.
For more information see:
Collaborative law
I have the distinction of being one of the first fully trained lawyers in the country to able to offer a collaborative law service. Collaborative law is a relatively new process aimed at reaching with dignity and through a non confrontational and non aggressive approach, the best possible solution for the whole family following the breakdown of a relationship, thereby securing a better chance of easing the pain of relationship breakdown and building a brighter future for the whole family.
The essence of the process is that the parties and their solicitors enter a written agreement that they will not ask the court to resolve their issues (which are usually those affecting the children and finances). In a number of round table meetings with a pre set but flexible agenda and timescale the parties work with, rather than through, their solicitors, who, utilising their skills in client representation, negotiation and problem-solving, jointly assist the parties to work out a solution that will benefit the whole family unit.
Correspondence between lawyers is discouraged, thereby keeping costs and acrimony to a minimum.
The collaborative process is not for everyone and even those who do start the journey may occasionally find that they reach an impasse and have to resort to court proceedings, meaning that they will the have to seek representation elsewhere. It can however be a very real alternative for the many couples who wish to work together, with the assistance of skilled and understanding professionals, in an open, honest and constructive way, to resolve their differences, by setting their own timescale to talk openly about their hopes, fears, and expectations.
For more information see:
JENNIFER KNOWLES (LL.B.Hons)
1 Bowland View, Clapham Old Road, Ingleton, Carnforth, Lancs, LA6 3JN, UK
Tel: 015242 41417 Fax: 015242 42395
E-mail: jk@jklaw.co.uk
Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority