Divorce & Separation

What we do

• When you first consult a Solicitor you may be upset, angry, worried, confused or all four. We aim to steer you through the, often complex issues that arise in a calm and informative way.

• We deal with a wide with range of issues flowing from the breakdown of family relationships including:-

i. Divorce/Dissolution of a Civil Partnership - be that you wanting to instigate proceedings or being on the receiving end of a Divorce Petition from your spouse/civil partner.

ii. Separation of Unmarried Couples – be they heterosexual or same sex.

iii. Children

• Both disputes between parents or other family members such as Grandparents ranging from arrangements for contact to residence of children or other issues requiring one person either to do something or to refrain from doing something in relation to a child.

• We also advise and provide representation in cases where Social Services have become involved where neglect or abuse is alleged and sometimes Court Proceedings are issued to remove children from the family home.

• Enforcement of Orders Relating to Children
• Paternity disputes – where DNA testing is required.
• Adoption cases/appointment of Special Guardians.

• Financial applications on behalf of children.
• Applications for Parental Responsibility Orders for unmarried fathers (where the child was born prior to 01/12/2003 or born after that date where the father’s name does not appear on the Birth Certificate)

iv. Finances
 

• On Divorce/Dissolution of a Civil Partnership this may involve maintenance issues, housing issues, transfer of capital assets including Pensions and Business interests.
• For unmarried couples either where a house is owned in one party’s sole name or in the parties joint names.
• Enforcement of orders - for maintenance, transfer of assets and sale of property and the payment of lump sums.
• Preventing assets being spent or transferred to third parties to frustrate a fair distribution of them.
• Bringing maintenance orders to an end.
• The drafting of Pre-nuptial Agreements and Deeds of Separation

v. Domestic Violence
• Advising on obtaining orders requiring a violent person to leave a property and not to return (known as occupation orders) or orders preventing somebody using or threatening violence (known as non-molestation orders).
• Preventing pestering and harassment.
• Representation where a Court Order has alleged to have been breached and one party faces the possibility of imprisonment.

vi. Other Applications

• Applying for protection under the Forced Marriages Act which came into force on 25/11/2008.
• Claims following the death of a partner.

• Claims under The Mental Capacity Act – which empowers and protects people who may not be able to make some decisions from themselves, for example people with dementia, learning difficulties or mental health problems.

vii. Mediation

We offer a family mediation service in Bolton, Wigan and Bury – for further details refer to the mediation page of this site

Who we are

The department is headed up by Joanne Barlow and she is supported by a loyal and dedicated team comprising of:-

a) Mary Gracie a Solicitor and Mediator.

b) Heather Profit – a Mediator.

c) Val Hewertson - a Mediator.

d) Heather Hodgson - a Mediator.

e) Stuart Barton – a Solicitor.

f) Samantha Cole - Solicitor.

g) Paula Frazer is an experienced Family Executive.

Please see their individual profiles for more details and contact information.

In addition to the Legal Practice CMA have a Mediation Service run by Mary Gracie, Heather Profit, Val Hewertson and Heather Hodgson for details of which please see the Mediation page of the site.

viii. Funding

We offer a free first half hour to all new clients at which the cost of any step being contemplated is considered and also an assessment is made as to

whether Public Funding (previously known as Legal Aid) is likely to be available.

We hold full Public funding franchises for Family Law and Mediation Work.

For further information or to make an appointment please contact on:-

Telephone number 01204: 535261
Email: info@cma-law.co.uk