Family law case studies Reading

Obtaining the best results for clients with family law cases in Reading

In situations involving divorce, cohabitation, and the dissolution of civil partnerships, Stowe Family Law's professional and dedicated family lawyers support numerous individuals in Reading and throughout the county of Berkshire.

As seen by the case study examples below, the members of our team, under the direction of Managing Partner Amanda Phillips-Wylds, are committed to providing clients with the greatest legal help and representation.

We are confident that, whether you are going through a difficult divorce, trying to reach a financial settlement, or finding it difficult to come to an agreement on your child arrangements, our track record of success will provide you the assurance and peace of mind you require.

Financial conflicts can be resolved through mediation

There are two skilled mediators in our Reading team: Amanda Phillips-Wylds and Gemma Davison.

Many of our clients who are unable to reach an agreement choose mediation, which is a very effective alternative dispute resolution (ADR). 

For instance, a recent client who had spent months trying to reach a financial settlement with their ex-partner came to Stowe Family Law in Reading.

The separation was amicable, and they had no trouble deciding how the kids would spend their time. However, they faced trouble with their finances, particularly what to do about the family home and the distribution of pensions.

After reviewing the scenario, the Reading team decided that mediation would be an excellent way to help resolve the conflict and stay out of the family court.

With all parties on board, Gemma, an experienced mediator at Stowe, brought the couple together and helped them make compromises and settle their financial differences fairly.

Following the formalisation of this into a consent order, both parents were free to finalise their divorce, and continue their lives to successfully co-parent their kids.

What is the value of a cohabitation agreement?

Cohabiting couples, who make up 3.5 million couples in the UK and have increased by 137% since 1996, are now the fastest growing family type in the UK.

However, compared to married couples, unmarried couples have very limited legal rights. In reality, the concept of a common-law marriage is a fallacy, despite over 51% of people* believing it exists.

For unmarried couples who live together, to provide some legal protection, it is advisable to instruct a solicitor to formally create a cohabitation agreement, a written document covering the assets and property of both parties in the relationship.

A cohabitation agreement clearly defines who owns the property/assets, what financial arrangements are whilst the parties live together, and how the property and assets should be divided upon separation.

However, it is important to remember that a cohabitation agreement is not legally binding.

Unmarried couples approaching the Reading team to establish such an agreement have significantly increased recently.

For instance, they recently advised a couple who were not married and purchasing their first home together. They both planned to pay an equal share of the mortgage and any associated costs, but due to a family inheritance, one party will pay the majority of the deposit.

To avoid future disputes, the team worked with the clients to define what will happen to each person's financial interest in the property in the case of a separation.

Then they drafted a thorough cohabitation agreement customised to the unique situation of the clients, as well as a Deed of Trust to formally document the split of property ownership.

To address what would happen to the property if one of them passed away, the couple was also encouraged to create their own individual wills.

You can find more advice about cohabitation rights at Stowe support

*Results from a recent Stowe survey.

Is it simple to avoid going court proceedings?

The majority of divorce cases handled by Stowe Family Law don't involve family court proceedings. 

Many couples work out their disputes amicably on their own or through negotiations between their lawyers. These agreements are then formalised into orders to make them legally binding.

There are several options available for couples who are having trouble coming to terms with separation-related concerns, such as finances, division of the family home, pensions, and living arrangements for children. 

Some of these options include mediation, arbitration, and collaborative family law.

These techniques have a much greater success rate, save everyone time and money, prevent misunderstandings between the parties, and promote future communication and relationships.

The team in Reading helps many clients avoid court proceedings and focus on resolving issues with a constructive and collaborative approach, with their client and their family’s best interests at the forefront of any decision-making. 

At Stowe, several of our lawyers have received training to serve as mediators, arbitrators, and collaborative lawyers. The Reading team also has access to a network of other experts who can help you settle your dispute outside of court.

Contact Stowe Family Law in Reading

The largest firm in the UK that specialises in family law is Stowe Family Law.

One of the firm's many offices, the Reading office in Berkshire, provides legal assistance to clients facing problems including divorce, cohabitation issues, division of assets and nuptial agreements.

The lawyers at Stowe Family Law's Reading  office, including Amanda Phillips-Wylds, Gemma Davison, and Jo Backwith, are available to assist you whether you're going through a challenging divorce, need assistance in reaching a financial settlement, or need guidance on child maintenance.

So, if you need the best family law solicitors Reading has to offer, contact Stowe Family Law today, request a free call back or call us at 0118 4270 114 -  our lines are open 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Our office can be found at Stowe Family Law LLP, Suite 28, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BD.