Family Law

Experiencing problems within your family is a stressful and worrying time, be it due to a breakdown in relationship, divorce, separation or even disputes concerning your children. Unfortunately, this very often results in many complex legal issues.

It is imperative that you have an advisor who has extensive knowledge of family law and who has a sympathetic and understanding approach to your case.

• Manchester Mediation Department

At Mason & Co, our Family Law department is headed by Joanne Feldman who offers personal and sensitive support through counselling and mediation through our Manchester mediation department here at Mason & Co., with the aim of helping to find a just and fair solution to your problem as painlessly as possible.

Mediation is extremely effective when having to come to an agreement about children. Joanne steers her clients through the rollercoaster journey of emotions.

• Separation and Divorce

If your marriage has broken down and you are unsure whether to start divorce proceedings, come and talk to us. Or for same sex couples, you may be looking to dissolve your civil partnership. We can help you make decisions about the best way forward whether to divorce or separate.

We specialise in dealing with high conflict cases and offer a solution based approach which is non-confrontational and  less stressful for all parties involved. This is critical when dealing with difficult decisions about your children, property disputes, or even financial settlements.

Our new Manchester Mediation unit plays an important role in achieving our high success rate on behalf of our clients.

• Children Disputes

We are here to help improve communication within the family unit, which is crucial because this is often the most difficult issue facing parents who separate. But with careful, sensitive negotiation we can help both parties come to a mutual agreement with regards to contact.

Children disputes cover a wide range of issues such as a residence order, parental rights & responsibilities for unmarried fathers and grandparents in the fallout of a divorce, maintenance and ensuring maintenance until children finish their university education.

• Co-habitation and Civil Partnerships

Not everybody gets married. Many couples live together as cohabitees without going through a civil partnership. Different laws apply to unmarried couples, but they still have rights which they should know about so that they can protect their positions by entering into secure legal agreements.

• Prenuptial Agreements

Pre-nuptual agreements are carried out prior to getting married. It sets out what you and your future spouse (or civil partner) agree should happen in relation to property and finances if your relationship breaks down.

This is becoming more and more common although it is important to know from the outset that it is not a legally binding document.

• Domestic Violence and Injunction Applications

This needs to be dealt with sensitively and extremely quickly so please contact us now if you are experiencing harassment or domestic violence.

We will help and support you and can give you advice about how to make an application to court for protection.

• Surrogacy Arrangements

This is very much an unknown territory for many people but there are strict laws governing UK surrogacy agreements and it is important to be aware during this emotive period. Surrogacy does not apply solely to same sex couples, but also heterosexual couples with infertility problems who may wish to choose this option to secure their parental rights.

A parental order would need to be obtained through the courts and can be done very easily through Mason & Co. Solicitors.

• Out of Court Settlements

Our family law departments has strong skills in mediation and helping high conflict couples reach amicable agreements without resorting to expensive, lengthy and acrimonious court proceedings.

Rest assured that if necessary we are readily prepared to fight your corner to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Mason & Co. Solicitors is committed to helping clients resolve family conflicts in a friendly, supportive and positive environment without resorting to expensive, lengthy and acrimonious court proceedings.

We offer a free, no obligation initial consulation by telephone or at the offices of Mason & Co, at times to suit you. Please call us on 0161 941 5757 to find out about our services and our Manchester Mediation unit.