Family Lawyers & Divorce Solicitors in Reading

Expert divorce lawyers in Reading

The team in Reading is led by Managing Partner, Claire McParland, a highly experienced and well-regarded family lawyer.

We are highly experienced in the complexities faced by families and individuals dealing with a family law issue. We frequently work on cases to resolve complex financial matters with multiple assets and protect the welfare of any children involved.

Our clients range from high-net-worth families with substantial assets, income and investments through to professional families and stay at home parents in the Reading area.

Side by side

We listen to your unique circumstances and help you to find a workable solution for your family’s well being. Our holistic approach supports achieving out-of-court settlements, but we appreciate that at times, litigation is appropriate, and we adopt a strong and robust strategy.

We tailor our approach and legal advice to the unique needs of each client. We guide you through the practical, emotional and legal aspects of divorce (and other types of separation), from the very start of the divorce process and over the finish line.

While our divorce solicitors have a reputation for being expert litigators, court proceedings can add unnecessary time, expense and stress to a divorce or separation. We offer out of court (alternative dispute resolution) routes: mediation, arbitration and collaborative law, which allow each spouse to find solutions and reach agreements on finances, any children involved and other family issues. In addition to supporting our clients through the legal side of divorce, we always apply an empathetic approach and encourage reaching out to our network of family support professionals if needed. This includes including coaches, therapists and parenting groups.

Your family’s finances

Our in-house accounting team will provide a clear picture of the assets in your marriage to create the optimum financial settlement. They have a breadth of specialist experience in tax, property, valuations, accounts and pension knowledge.

Your team in Reading

Claire McParland

I am dedicated to resolving matters as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. I can res...

Managing Partner, St Albans, Reading, Berkhamsted & Rickmansworth

01727 841 875

Gemma Davison

Gemma joined Stowe Family Law’s Reading office as a Senior Solicitor in 2021

Senior Solicitor, Reading

01183 593 225

Elisabetta Morgan

Elisabetta is the Regional Team Leader for the London and South East managing a team of Le...

Regional Team Leader (London and South East)

Jake Channing

Jake is a Legal Assistant based at our Reading office

Legal Assistant

If you are looking to get divorced or separated

Legally ending a relationship is a key life decision that is not taken lightly. For most people, it is the only remaining course of action following considerable time and effort trying to save a marriage. Whether you want to start the divorce process or have received divorce papers (called a divorce petition) from your spouse, our divorce solicitors give expert divorce advice in a language you will understand. They do so with compassion and empathy.

The divorce process is probably new to you. Many aspects will feel unfamiliar, such as archaic legal jargon and the many forms that will need filling out and posting. The divorce process often causes confusion and frustration, instead of providing much-needed clarity. Our solicitors take great care in delivering that clarity as well as guidance on the emotional, legal and practical challenges ahead.

After understanding your situation and goals, we will explain how things are likely to play out. We will present alternative options where appropriate, to help you achieve the result you need.

Non-confrontational approach

Our divorce solicitors are members of Resolution, an organisation that promotes a non-confrontational approach for divorce. In our experience, this provides better outcomes for families and also reduces the possibility of an acrimonious divorce in court, which can slow the process and increase costs. Where possible we will encourage and facilitate dialogue between both parties so that at least basic arrangements can be agreed for family finances and children.

We also offer mediation, which is a process conducted by one of our qualified mediators to help both parties reach a compromise on any sticking points. These points are usually children and finance related. We offer mediation to help encourage openness and willingness to communicate. Two alternatives to divorce mediation are collaborative law and divorce arbitration – you can read more about all three here and your solicitor can explain further.

We understand that sometimes it is not possible to reach agreements without going to court and having a Family Court judge decide. We are expert litigators with an excellent track record in court.

Child arrangements

The most emotive part of a divorce or separation is often child arrangements (formerly known as child custody). If you have children, their wellbeing takes precedence over everything else. That is also the viewpoint of the family court and judge. That’s because children are typically the most vulnerable people in a divorce, especially an acrimonious one. This reinforces the importance of taking a non-conflictive approach because the court will treat you more favourably if your efforts to find solutions with your spouse can be clearly demonstrated. Having the support of a child law specialist can make a tremendous difference here.

Our Reading child solicitors can suggest and advise on arrangements that are both fair and workable, for you and your family.

Drawing on their immense experience in child custody cases, our child solicitors can find the best solutions to any kind of situation. Our goal is to achieve the best outcome for your children and where reasonably possible, help you to have a healthy relationship with your ex.

Family finances and divorce settlements

Every family is unique, and family finances are no exception. Unpicking years of shared finances can be a daunting and difficult task. Complex assets often need examining such as property, shares and trusts, in the UK and sometimes overseas. Financial settlements (known as ‘divorce settlements’) cover all of the above and of course the family home and pensions, investments. What each of you owned before getting married also needs to be understood. Getting specialist help with your finances is crucial in protecting your future, which includes ensuring you can continue to provide for your family after divorce.

With decades of experience in dealing with complex financial matters, including estates, inherited wealth and assets abroad, our lawyers and forensic accountants can protect your assets and achieve a fair settlement.

Prenuptial agreements

While typically viewed as pessimistic, prenuptial agreements offer peace of mind by clarifying how assets, wealth and the overall estate will be dealt with in the event of a divorce. Recent case law has given prenup’s more weighting in divorce proceedings (a few years ago they were less effective). Our prenup lawyers are experts on what can be included in a prenup and how they should be set out and signed – all of which impacts their effectiveness if the worst should come to pass.

It is also possible to draft an agreement after marriage – unsurprisingly called a postnuptial agreement.

If you are interested in protecting your assets and finances with a marital agreement, book in a consultation with our family law team using the button below.

Civil partners and cohabiting couples

Civil partnership dissolution

Deciding to end a civil partnership can feel like a scary and ‘final’ step. Unlike the concept of divorce, the path to dissolving a civil partnership can seem much less clear to some people.

Divorce for a civil partnership is known as dissolution and can only be instigated after being in the partnership for a year or more. The same arrangements need to be made as in a divorce, including arrangements for children and the sharing of assets. Our civil partnership solicitors can provide practical guidance through the civil partnership dissolution process and help you to achieve your desired outcome.

Cohabitation solicitors

If living with someone in an unmarried relationship you may have questioned or wondered about what may happen if the relationship ends. Our cohabitation solicitors can help you to address this by drawing up a cohabitation agreement, to set out what will happen in the event of death or separation. Otherwise known as a cohabitation “contract”, the legally binding document gives peace of mind that should the worst happen, everything is set out in black and white.

A cohabitation agreement is legally binding so long as it has been agreed to by both parties and has been drawn up and signed properly.

Our divorce and family law services

Divorce, civil partnerships and cohabitation disputes including arrangements for children and financial settlements
In-house accounting team
International divorce
Child law
Out of court settlements including mediation
Islamic divorce
Domestic violence
Grandparents’ rights
Prenuptial agreements

Why choose Stowe Family Law solicitors in Reading?

Our family law solicitors in Reading have decades of experience and have attracted more positive feedback from clients than any other Stowe office. They also have access to hundreds of years of expertise from our teams across the country.

Due to our client-centric approach, the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners have recognised our commitment to outstanding client service and client success.

Our family lawyers are members of Resolution and are therefore dedicated to taking a non-conflictive approach to help maintain family bonds while achieving a positive outcome.

Clients frequently rate our compassion, empathy, explaining the ‘hard facts’ and clear guidance they need to move forward with their case, and their lives. If you are interested in what our clients think about Stowe and our approach, watch our video here.

We’re the UK’s largest family law specialist, delivering tailored service and expertise, locally to you.

Come and see us

Suite 27
Abbey Square
Reading
RG1 3BD

Our office is in Abbey Square, situated in the city centre just a short 5-10 minute walk from the train station.

There is parking at the train station and an NCP on Garrard Street (5-minute walk).

Our office is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.

And our phone lines are open from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday.
And 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Contact Stowe Family Law Reading

0118 359 3225

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