Family Lawyer Berkshire

I am Laura Savage, an experienced Family Lawyer offering advice, representation and support services.

What services can I help you with?

A Comprehensive Range of My Legal Services

Fixed Fee Meeting

I offer an initial one hour fixed fee consultation on videocall or in person. The initial meeting sets out options and provides costs indicators for the possible pathways forward. The aim is to give initial information and direction for those who want a level of ongoing advice.

Divorce

The online system for No Fault Divorce is user friendly but for those who want the certainty that comes with a solicitor completing the online forms, I charge a fixed fee to do so. The process can be started by an individual or a joint application and can take a few months to complete as there is a twenty week waiting period to obtain a Conditional Order and then six weeks and one day later, a Final Order which legally terminates the marriage, can be applied for. The current court fee is £593 and whilst the divorce is progressing, the aim is to complete the financial arrangements too.

Financial Settlement

This is not automatically addressed as part of your Divorce and will require either an application to court to finalise an agreement reached or an application to court to have the decision made for you by a Judge. Private Hearings which are outside of the court system are also now available. I can assist with the financial negotiations to achieve a settlement which can then be put into a Consent Order, I can advise and draw up a Consent Order following a successful mediation and can apply for and represent in court proceedings or private Hearings, should no agreement be reached. As much as possible, I encourage a long term view and settlement by negotiation where possible.

Child Arrangements

I advise upon and frequently represent parents in court proceedings to decide on where children shall live and how they will spend time with each parent. I also assist in applications asking the court to make decisions on relocation (within UK and overseas) and to decide issues that the parents cannot agree upon, such as schooling, name changing or medical treatment. Co-parenting after separation or divorce can be difficult and clear advice from the off can prove really helpful for parents to understand their rights and parental responsibility. In some cases, a Parenting Plan can avoid court proceedings and can bring clarity and stability to arrangements without the delay or expense of the court process. In either situation I can assist in drafting or reviewing a Parenting Plan or negotiating arrangements for spending time with children or represent in Child Arrangements Proceedings.

Nuptial Agreements (Post and Pre-Nuptial)

Increasingly people like to ensure their business or family interests are protected when they marry either before or after marriage. The certainty that it provides for both parties can be really beneficial. I take instructions, draft and advise upon pre-nuptial agreement and post-nuptial agreements. I have a network of other lawyers that I can recommend should the other party not have identified a lawyer for themselves. This can help ensure the process moves swiftly to ensure there are no last minute panics pre-marriage

Unmarried Couples

Cohabitee agreements can set out and clarify living arrangements when moving in or buying a property together. I take instructions, draft and advise upon these agreements. I can prepare a Declaration of Trust to accompany the cohabitation agreement upon purchase of property setting out how the proceeds of sale should be divided in the event of separation. The law is different in respect of cohabitees than married couples and although Resolution www.resolution.org.uk is lobbying for change, currently there is not the same level of protection on separation of cohabitees than there is upon divorce or civil partnership disillusionment. There are applications to court that can be made to decide how property should be dealt with by co-owners who cannot agree, under the Trusts of Land Act 1996 and if there are children, the Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 applications

Domestic Abuse (Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders)

Domestic Abuse is not always obvious and coercion and control, emotional abuse and violent behaviour can take many forms. I can assist in advising upon the next steps to take and help with preparing Non-Molestation and Occupation Order application on an urgent or on notice basis. I can assist with communications with the Police and Children’s Services if required and help navigate a very traumatic time with clear and definite advice and steps.

What Clients Say About Me

“Laura has dealt with me and my family in a very professional and understanding way. She has supported us all 100 % through a very traumatic divorce. She has simplified every step of the way and has given us lots of alternatives through the whole process. She has not only dealt with us as individuals but with all the services involved (police, social services) and has never given up to get the results needed. I would like to say thank you to Laura for everything she has done and to tell you all what an amazing solicitor you have in your team. Without appointing Laura as my solicitor I think I would have given up in the court proceedings and lost everything” -

CP
    CP

    Berkshire

    “I had the pleasure of dealing with Laura Jennings in completing my divorce during 2017/2018 and she was an absolute credit to Merali Beedle. Laura was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, responsive and at all times available throughout the process and I couldn’t have asked for more supportive counsel. This was by far the best experience I have ever had within the legal services industry.”. -

    DF
      DF

      London

      “On recommendation I contacted Laura to solicit my divorce, Laura was both supportive and professional throughout what for me was a difficult, emotional and lengthy process.” -

      EB
        EB

        Berkshire

        “Laura has represented me throughout two sets of Family Court Hearings and has achieved 100% success rate for me. She has provided sound advice, and has shown a remarkable memory for the detail of my case going back over many months.” -

        JC
          JC

          Berkshire