Zoe Culverwell | Associate Solicitor | Family Law | Hampshire Skip to content

My experience

I am a family solicitor at Paris Smith LLP.

I undertake all aspects of family work, including:

  • divorce;
  • the resolution of finances on breakdown of marriage;
  • private children matters;
  • cohabitation;
  • pre and post nuptial agreements; and
  • domestic violence.

In addition to my post-qualification experience, I also have the benefit of a year of experience following two seats in the Family department during my training contract.

Throughout my career so far I have been lucky enough to assist on a number of high value and complex matrimonial matters including offshore and family trusts, companies, significant pension provision and cases with an international element. Equally, I regularly deal with clients with less significant wealth, and this often involves being creative in order to find satisfactory solutions that enables both parties to move on.

I have also experienced a number of private children matters ranging from standard applications to formalise arrangements for a child to cases involving complicating factors such as mental health issues and addiction such that there is Children’s Services involvement. I have also recently experienced a number of cases involving the LGBTQ community which has developed my knowledge of the issues often faced in such cases.

During my training contract and since qualification, I have spent a significant amount of time in court, giving me invaluable insight into family litigation. Whilst I am therefore confident in the court arena, I do appreciate the uncertainty of litigation and I am committed to resolving matters for my clients in the most cost effective and constructive way.

I pride myself on attention to detail but couple this with looking at the bigger picture and focusing on solutions. I also aim to guide and support my clients throughout the emotional time that they are typically experiencing.

How I’ve helped our clients

Referees say "Zoe Culverwell – just a fantastic legal brain with a great understanding of the issues" and "Neil Davies and Zoe Culverwell are a great team delivering pragmatic advice at a fair price".

Legal 500 2024 Edition

Neil and the team have been brilliant. Zoe, you have been amazing! I cannot praise your hard work, professionalism and thoughtfulness enough. You guys gave me the confidence to tackle this bun fight!

Ms DS - Financial remedy and civil partnership dissolution

Zoe was very conscious but worked with me to give the outcome I wanted.

Client - Financial Remedy

I just wanted to take this opportunity now that everything is wrapped up to thank you for all you have done for me… I know that I paid for your service but I believe you went over and above making it possible for me to complete my divorce and financial separation in the most cost effective manner. I think about where I started and where I find myself today and it is a far different and better place to where I expected to be and for that I’m forever grateful to you.

Gemma Smith - Divorce & Finances

Zoe was wonderful from start to finish. Dedicated, thoughtful and thorough in her approach. Knowing that Zoe had my back allowed me to focus on my children and business while also retaining my sanity during the 2+ year process. Thank you Zoe

TL - Children case

From start to finish, Zoe has been so informative and invaluable to us. With Zoe’s guidance, knowledge and understanding we were able to keep our focus on the matter at hand and settle at the first court hearing. We are so very grateful.

Mr B, Applicant Father

It remains for me to say a heartfelt thank you for your time, effort and extreme diligence through what was a very painstaking process. You’re a credit to the firm.

Mr S - Financial remedies case

Zoe's assistance was invaluable. She has a fantastic grasp of detail and is very commercially minded. She has a maturity well beyond her 18 month PQE and is a great asset.

Max Lewis, Barrister - 29 Bedford Row Chambers
29 Bedford Row Chambers

I was more than happy with Neil and Zoe during their handling of my recent divorce. I felt like I had both friends and professionals genuinely interested and concerned for me and my interests. Importantly they kept an eye on the financials, but did not lose track of what was the right thing to do as well as seeking justice in very difficult circumstances.

Mr C, London

You’ve got me over the line and I quite simply couldn’t have done it without you and Zoe. You’ve been beyond amazing and I feel so blessed to have had you AWESOME pair behind me. Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me. I have loved working with you both and I am going to miss you. I will always confidently pass your details on to anyone else I meet who is about to go through this.

Mrs J.B. (Surrey) - Divorce and Finances

As usual your explanations are easy to understand, that’s because you are so brilliant at your job.

Mrs J.C. (Reading) - Variation of maintenance application

I finally completed on my cottage. It feels like the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders! Wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you have done - I would not have got here without all your help. You deserve every bit of recognition.

Ms R.W. (Hampshire- TOLATA dispute and Schedule 1 claim)