Southampton 02380 482 482
Winchester 01962 679 777
Appointments during Coronavirus lockdown
During these difficult and unprecedented times, please rest assured that the family team at Paris Smith are still available to support you and your family, should you need us. Whether you are an existing client or somebody who needs assistance for the first time, we can still speak with you via Skype, Facetime or other video conferencing facilities.
For more information, please call the head of our family department, Frank Prior on 023 8048 2327.
Relationship breakdown and divorce
The breakdown of a relationship is often one of the most stressful times in life. With so much to think about – the loss of a partner, the future of the family home, the arrangements to be made for the children – it is easy to become overwhelmed.
Our specialist team of divorce lawyers and family law solicitors can advise you on all aspects of relationship breakdown and will guide you skilfully through the stormy waters of separation and into calmer seas beyond.
We have a large team of divorce lawyers based in Southampton and Winchester specialising in family work and we are ranked as the pre-eminent team in the region.
With experience ranging from a few years’ qualification to senior partner level, we will be able to offer you exactly the right lawyer for your case.
We are all qualified and specialist family solicitors. Many of us are also collaboratively trained and/or mediators, which means that we are able to bring different skills to the way in which we will handle your case.
You will find us uncompromising in our professional approach, yet sensitive to your individual needs. We will always listen carefully to your story, and we will represent you in a manner which is tailored to suit you and to promote the best outcomes for you and your children.
Some of the issues we can help with:
- Divorce, separation from your cohabitant and dissolution of civil partnerships
- Financial claims on divorce or dissolution of civil partnership
- Mediation
- Cases involving an international element whether because you or your partner are not a British national, or because some or all of the assets are overseas
- Financial claims following a foreign divorce
- Cases involving family owned businesses, from sole traders to complex, multi-layered business structures
- Future ownership of jointly owned property when an unmarried relationship breaks down
- Cases involving family trusts, from the most simple to the most complex, including multi-layered off-shore structures
- Child Arrangements orders – previously residence and contact orders
- Financial claims on behalf of children whether you are married to the other parent or not
- International relocation of children
- Other issues concerning children, such as their education or a proposed move away from the area
- Financial claims by or on behalf of adult children, such as maintenance whilst they are studying
- Pre- and post- nuptial agreements
- Living together agreements
- Occupation of the family home (perhaps following violence or threats of violence)
- Personal protection orders
Related literature
Recent Articles
- Pre-nuptial agreements – Featured in The Independent – 01.06.19
Slides/Presentations
Collaborative law in practice
Hear from the people who really matter: the clients. The couple in this film are real-life graduates of the collaborative law process who have agreed to share their experiences. In it, they talk about the process itself, some of the difficult issues in their case, and what the process has meant for their future as a family.
Testimonials
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- Chambers and Partners 2021, Band 1: Standout firm representing high net worth individuals in matrimonial disputes concerning trusts, inherited wealth and property, with additional expertise in drafting high-value nuptial agreements. Also has experience in handling highly acrimonious private children matters. Offers litigation expertise and also provides mediation services for clients seeking alternatives to litigation, as well as collaboratively trained lawyers. One source lauds the team’s “very helpful and skilled lawyers,” adding: “We trust their advice and receive timely replies.” Another interviewee says: “The lawyers are technically able and work constructively.”
- Legal 500 2020-2021, Tier 1: ‘Paris Smith is by far the largest and strongest team in Hampshire, and possibly the south. It is set up like a London magic circle firm and is packed with stars. As a result, the team is able to provide a premier service to all levels, including very high net worth individuals. Top-rated in every respect.’
- Chambers and Partners 2020, Band 1: A client comments: “The team are good, efficient and sensitive,” adding: “They are also mindful of the economics of particular cases and try to make it work in terms of money spent versus the possible settlement.” Another source says: “They are professional but friendly and they get good results.”
- Chambers and Partners 2019, Band 1: Standout firm representing high net worth individuals in matrimonial disputes concerning trusts and property. Additional experience in handling highly acrimonious private children matters. Offers litigation expertise and also provides mediation services for clients seeking alternatives to litigation.
- Chambers and Partners 2018, Band 1: Known as a standout firm representing high net worth individuals in matrimonial disputes concerning trusts and property. Also provides mediation services for clients seeking alternatives to litigation. Recent expansion of the team ensures clients are given full depth of resources to assist with the most complex cases.
- Legal 500 2018-19, Tier 1: Paris Smith has arguably ‘the number one matrimonial finance team in Hampshire with great depth of talent’. The team acts on very high-value matters, often in the tens of millions of pounds. It frequently acts for family clients in settling financial disputes, often where corporate and off-shore assets and trusts are involved as well as agricultural land trusts. ‘The hugely talented’ Frank Prior heads the team, which also includes the ‘always brilliant‘ Huw Miles, who is collaboratively trained and ‘is tenacious in getting the best deals for his clients’ and ‘looks for a collaborative outcome but is able to argue a point if necessary’. Neil Davies is able to draw on his ‘very long experience of performing at the top level and handling the biggest cases’. Rachel Osgood and Sarah Passemard are also highly regarded.
Contact Us
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Southampton
02380 482 482
Winchester
01962 679 777
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