Excellent Family Lawyers in London
Our expert team of family solicitors at Grayfords have built an unrivalled reputation over the past decade, delivering a modernised and caring approach to the legal profession’s traditional methods. As a result of our unique approach, we have achieved a remarkable 91% success rate in resolving contentious matters, consistently achieving the outcomes our clients deserve.
At our firm, we understand the importance of being available when you need us. That’s why we offer one of the longest initial free consultations in the country, additionally providing ‘360-degree access’ to our solicitors which allows clients to contact them at will across multiple platforms, including WhatsApp and LinkedIn. Whether you require legal guidance for family matters, personal support as you navigate a family conflict, or help with financial planning in relation to these areas, our team is here to help. We can offer legal options, ease confusion, provide answers to common questions, and even assist you in switching firms if need be.
Based in central London and with direct access to regional courts, we’re proud to serve clients throughout the South East, including Reading, Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol, with a focus on family and private client law.
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Our Holistic Approach
Specialised Service
At Grayfords, we offer a specialised range of services across both family law and private client law, tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. With a focus on honesty, empathy, and pragmatism, we provide reliable legal advice that is designed to help our clients achieve success in their legal matters. In the realm of family law, we understand the...
Time for you
At Grayfords, we understand the value of time, and we prioritise our clients by ensuring that they receive the attention and support they need throughout their legal journey. Unlike other family law firms, we never claim to be too busy for our clients. We believe that effective communication is essential, and our team is always access...
Strategic Partnerships
At Grayfords, we believe in the power of strategic partnerships to enhance the quality and efficiency of our legal services. We understand that legal matters often require expertise in various specialised areas, and that's why we have established strong relationships with trusted and renowned specialists in both family law, private client law, and therapy and mental...
Regular Catch-up Strategies
At Grayfords, we understand the importance of developing effective strategies to achieve the desired outcomes for our clients in family law and private client law matters. That's why we prioritise regular catch-up strategies to ensure that your case is handled efficiently and aligned with your goals. As experienced family and private client lawyers, and...
Offering More Than Just Legal Support
The wellbeing of our clients is at the core of our ethos at Grayfords and we understand the importance of having a robust support system in place that goes beyond just the legal practicalities of managing your family matter. Whether you are facing a divorce, separation, child custody matter, or any other interpersonal conflict within your family, our team of specialists are here to support you on a personal level should you need.
Still unsure about whether Grayfords is right for you? Take a look at what our clients have to say about us:
“Sheata went beyond the call of duty countless times, and most importantly really understood what I was going through. Thank you so much!”
RGoldberg
“Highly recommended – would recommend to a friend anytime! Special thanks to Sheata for making the toughest point in my life much easier to handle and generally the whole process run so smoothly.”
blue50
“I was very impressed with your quick and efficient service with regards to prenuptial agreement. Would highly recommend”
ewalker76
“I would wholeheartedly recommend Grayfords to anyone experiencing problems with contacting their children.”
patricia125
“I really appreciate and agree with your comments. Thank you for your asistance.”
John Bennie
“Many thanks again for all yours, Sheata’s and all at Grayfords work over the last year to resolve my custody and divorce settlements.”
Mr J
“Grayfords went above and beyond to help me through a difficult time in my life. Sheata was always at hand to answer any of my questions or concerns.”
Mrs T
“Dear Sheata, I have received the withdrawal order from the high court. I truly appreciate all the hard work during a tumultuous time for me. Thanks again for your help.”
Y
“Dear Sheata, thank you very much for giving me at least a little positivity and hope with your last email. I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Kind Regards, Ms V”
Mrs V
“Efficient and friendly family Law firm. I can not thank Sheata enough for all the help. She was superb over a number of months, providing great advice and ultimately achieving a successful outcome. I would highly recommend Grayfords.”
L.
Our Leadership Team
Guided by principles of honesty, quality work and client service, our select leadership team is committed to producing the best results for clients. At Grayfords, our handful of renowned specialists are driven by the shared vision of success, not fees. Our wealth of knowledge in family law and commitment to clients ensures we deliver practical solutions to the most difficult situations.
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Grayfords Knowledgebase
6 Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Marriage: Family Law Solicitors’ Advice
Choosing to get married is generally not a decision that is taken lightly, and with good reason too. In fact, marriage is one of the most significant legal commitments that a person can make. Because of this, the importance of being sure that you are making the right decision for you is crucial, and so it is strongly advised that you take ample time to reflect on your relationship and future with your partner before saying the big ‘I do’.
Below, our family law solicitors have compiled a list of six key questions that you should ask yourself first to help you make a well-informed decision if you are considering getting married.
1. Do I Want Children?
At the top of our list is probably one of the most important topics that you should discuss with any partner that you are considering making a long-term commitment to. Do you want kids? If so, how many?
Other related questions surrounding timings and what exactly are your expectations with regards to parenting styles and each parent’s responsibilities are also going to need to be explored here. The reality is that raising children is one of the most challenging undertakings that anyone can make, and so the importance of being certain that you and your partner are both on the same page in this area of your lives cannot be understated.
2. Are My Life Goals Aligned with My Partner’s?
Children aside, what are some of your long-term aspirations in life? Do you have any career ambitions, ideas of where you want to live, travel plans, and/or personal projects that mean a lot to you?
Discussing these with your partner will help make clear to you whether they share a similar vision for their future and therefore how compatible your life plans are. If there are some disagreements, can compromises be made by either one of you without resentment creeping in? All successful relationships and marriages are of course based on a degree of healthy compromise, but you may need to reconsider things if you both have non-negotiables that are at odds with each other.
3. How Do I Handle Conflict, and How Does My Partner?
After healthy compromise, another key ingredient to a successful long-term relationship is good conflict resolution. Everyone approaches conflict differently and so understanding how well you and your partner do (or don’t) manage arguments or disagreements between the two of you is very important.
For example, are you someone who needs time to cool off after a clash, or do you prefer to find an immediate resolution right there and then? Your partner might be adamant about talking things through in the moment, but this could make things challenging if you lean more towards needing to take time and space before tackling subjects of contention. Ultimately, effective problem solving is only achievable when you both understand how you each manage disagreements and are able to find a middle ground that suits you both when problems arise. Not having a system in place for conflict can lead to unresolved tensions building up slowly over time, eventually even contributing to a relationship breakdown.
4. What Are My Core Values, and Do They Align with My Partner’s?
It goes without saying that core values—such as religious beliefs, family traditions, financial habits, and ethical principles—play a huge role in a successful marriage. Do you want your children to be brought up in line with a particular belief system for example? Do you value spending a lot of time with close relatives and having their involvement in child rearing or are you more independent in that respect? What about how you envision managing your finances, and what are your expectations surrounding intimacy and fidelity in your relationship?
If you and your partner have any significant differences in these areas of your lives, you need to be aware that these could end up becoming sources of significant conflict or strain in your relationship over time. Discussing how you will both navigate any disparities in your individual values as early as possible in your relationship will make all the difference as to how successful your union is.
5. Am I Emotionally and Financially Ready for Marriage?
Taking all the above into consideration, it is also important to acknowledge that marriage is not solely about love; it evidently requires a lot of emotional maturity, and financial stability too, if you are going to be able to make things work.
Consider whether you are in a place where you can support both your financial needs and the monetary requirements of building a shared life together – caring for children is expensive, as an example. Have you discussed debt, spending habits, and financial expectations with your partner too?
Finances aside, the commitment of marriage is not without its own psychological and emotional demands. You should be sure that are you able to enter in this chapter of your life as a well-rounded, stable adult who is capable of meeting their own personal needs consistently, as well as the needs of others in their budding family when needed.
6. Do I Feel Completely Myself Around My Partner?
Last but not least, ask yourself if you can be your true self with your partner, without fear of judgment. The strongest of marriages are built on friendships between lovers that are grounded in honesty and authenticity. If you ever feel pressured to change the fundamentals of who you are as a person for your partner, it may be worth reconsidering whether this relationship is the right one for you.
Neil Graham, a Partner at Grayfords comments as follows: “embarking on a relationship is a great adventure and leap of faith in equal measure. None of us ever goes into a relationship expecting it to come to an end. It’s always worth thinking about a Cohabitation Agreement or a Pre-nuptial Agreement, however, just in case the relationship runs its course. It’s a good way of avoiding any acrimony if things don’t ultimately work out and provided both parties have entered into the Agreement freely and willingly, with a clear understanding of their partner’s financial resources and with the benefit of legal advice the Agreement is likely to be enforceable.”
If you are considering marriage or a long-term commitment to a partner, our family law solicitors can help you put in place the necessary legal provisions for this, such as a prenup or a cohabitation agreement. To find out more about how we can help, don’t hesitate to call us on 020 7100 6100 and book your free initial consultation today.
How To Talk To Your Partner About Getting A Prenup
The subject of a prenup can evoke a myriad of emotions in people, with some even seeing it as a sign of mistrust. Although the topic of finances can certainly be challenging to navigate, the truth is that choosing to get a prenup is actually a very positive initiative as it helps to bring clarity and greater honesty to a relationship.
Whether you have inheritance, a personal business, or perhaps even children from a previous relationship that you want to make provisions for, there is nothing wrong with wanting to take appropriate action to ensure exactly ‘who gets what’ if ever a divorce where to happen. Communicating this to a future spouse should be handled with care, however, and so we have outlined below some key points for you to keep in mind before having the conversation.
Don’t hesitate to call us on 020 7100 6100 should you require further legal advice after reading this infographic. Our team will be happy to book you in for a free initial consultation with one of our family law solicitors to discuss how we can help you further with your prenup, postnup, or any other family law matter.
Why A Divorce Coach Isn’t Just For Celebrities
The idea of consulting a divorce coach conjures up images of a luxury therapy that is reserved for the likes of A-list actors or world-dominating pop-stars and performers. However in reality, it is a simple and valuable resource for anyone navigating the complexities of divorce – and no, they do not always have to cost you a fortune!
Divorce coaches can provide emotional support, practical guidance, and decision-making assistance to help you move through the challenging transition of a separation with confidence. With many celebrities speaking openly about the incredible benefits of therapy in dealing with their ended marriages, including Chris Martin and Gyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Khloé Kardashian, here’s a brief overview of why you should consider joining the crew.
Divorce Is Overwhelming For Everyone
No matter your background or personal circumstances, a divorce is hands-down one of the most emotionally and logistically challenging things to execute. Perhaps you’re a stay-at-home parent or a working professional – either way, the uncertainty that comes hand in hand with divorce proceedings, along with the stress they cause, can take a toll on your physical health and your ability to focus. This is one of the primary areas that a divorce coach can step in; by helping you manage your stress levels to be able to make informed decisions about what comes next for you, aiding to brainstorm and to plan for as positive an outcome as possible for your divorce.
Guidance Through the Process Itself
Many people don’t realise that there are in fact a multitude of ways to go through a divorce – such as via mediation, collaboration, or court proceedings in the case of contentious separations. A divorce coach will help you assess what is the best option for you given your circumstances and will support and guide you through each step of that process, ensuring you remain clear-headed and empowered throughout.
Emotional Support Beyond Therapy
It is no secret that psychotherapy or talk therapy is heavily recommended, if you can afford it, when going through any major life change. A divorce coach can compliment this by providing you with immediate, actionable strategies for handling stress, communication, and conflict, whereas therapy sessions may focus more on deeper emotional healing. This kind of coaching helps prevent emotional outbursts (which are understandable in these circumstances) and ensures that you approach negotiations with your ex-partner with greater balance and clarity.
Co-Parenting Support
If you are a parent, then divorce also comes with the added challenge of co-parenting, which is no small feat. A divorce coach will be able to offer tried and tested strategies to help you develop a parenting plan, communicate more effectively with your ex, and maintain stability for your children, as this is a key area they specialise in. This kind of help is truly invaluable for reducing conflict and fostering a healthy post-divorce environment.
Cost-Effective Decision-Making
Although hiring a divorce coach may seem like an added expense, it can actually help you save money in the long run. Lawyers will of course be able to help you with effective strategies to handle all the paperwork of your divorce, but they won’t be able to advise you on the many non-legal questions that will be cropping up throughout the entire process.
A divorce coach can come to the rescue here, helping you to stay organised and on top of your personal matters and logistics so that your legal interactions are more efficient and therefore less costly. (Note: many a divorcee has spent an unnecessary amount of time – and money, as solicitors generally charge high prices by the hour – talking to their legal professionals about their struggles and asking for personal advice during the divorce process. Better to speak with a divorce coach instead!)
Planning For Your Next Chapter
Divorce is not just about the end of your marriage – it is also about rebuilding a new life for yourself as a ‘newly single’ individual. This understandably can feel quite frightening and overwhelming as you tackle uncharted territories like single parenthood, re-entering the workforce, or setting new personal and professional goals. A divorce coach will be able to help you manage this transition into your new life by providing you with an arsenal of tools to move forward with confidence and to execute any plans that you have crafted for your future.
At Grayfords, our family law solicitors understand the importance of providing expert legal guidance coupled with empathetic care to clients who are facing divorce or any other family matter. We also have close business ties with a variety of divorce coaches to whom we can refer you if you need the added support during the divorce process. To find out more about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to call us on 020 7100 6100 and book your free consultation today.
