FAMILY LAW

Mediation & Collaborative Law

Resolving family disputes with care and collaboration.

At Coole Bevis, we understand that family disputes can be emotionally taxing and complex. Our Mediation and Collaborative Law services offer a constructive alternative to traditional litigation, enabling families to resolve conflicts in a respectful and amicable manner.

We are committed to supporting our clients, by providing specialist guidance tailored to your unique situation. Whether you’re addressing financial arrangements, the settlement of property and assets, or child-related matters, our focus is on achieving practical, cost-effective solutions while preserving relationships wherever possible.

Our Services Include:

Mediation – A structured, neutral process to help families communicate and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.
Collaborative Law – A team-based approach where parties and their lawyers work together to reach agreements without court intervention.
Child-Focused Resolutions – Prioritising the needs and best interests of children throughout the process.
Financial & Property Settlements – Assisting with fair and equitable resolutions for financial arrangements and the division of assets.
Pre-nuptial agreement/post-nuptial settlements – we can assist in helping you to reach agreement with your future spouse using a collaborative approach.

Our Guarantee

We adopt a constructive and cooperative approach, promoting Mediation to achieve amicable solutions, wherever possible.
We offer clear, bespoke advice and can connect you with relevant professionals including counsellors, barristers, and lawyers.
Our team adheres to the Resolution Code of Practice and the family law Protocol, ensuring a professional, empathetic service.

“I should like to thank you for all your excellent assistance for a very reasonable cost in what could have been a very stressful experience for us.”

Recommended Lawyers

Our family law team has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for our clients. Our legally accredited lawyers are recommended as leaders by leading legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. We have also been recognised as the top Divorce Law Firm in Horsham by LegalDirectorate.co.uk in 2024.

Contact us

If you’re looking for an effective way to resolve family disputes, our Mediation and Collaborative Law services can help. For advice and guidance you can rely on contact our family law team today.

Get in touch

Our family services FAQs

Here we provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the services offered by our family team:

Why should you use a family solicitor?

When you are considering taking that next step in your relationship by marrying or cohabiting or sadly things have not worked out, legal advice and support can be vital.

Even where you and your former partner are on good terms, a matrimonial solicitor can help advise upon and finalise your agreement. You will often also have to think about such things as selling property and making sure that you have updated your Will. Your matrimonial solicitor will be able to refer you to the right person within the firm assuring professional assistance wherever necessary and providing a joined-up service from start to finish.

When is the best time to use a family solicitor?

The best time to use a family solicitor would be as early on in your legal process as possible. It can be helpful to speak with a solicitor to explore your options before taking the next steps. However, receiving legal advice can be valuable at any stage of the process, particularly when you are unsure what to do.

What are prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and why consider one?

A prenuptial agreement is made before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is created after the ceremony. Both are designed to provide security by protecting your assets in the event of a relationship breakdown. These agreements can safeguard business interests, family wealth such as inheritances or trusts, and protect you from financial risks, like your partner’s debts or bankruptcy.

By setting clear terms in advance, these agreements can reduce financial disputes, preserve assets, and potentially avoid costly legal proceedings in the event of a divorce.

How is dissolving a Civil Partnership different from divorce?

For Civil Partnerships, the process is the same as with a divorce except that this results in a Dissolution Order rather than a Final Order in a divorce.

What types of financial orders can the court make in a Divorce or Dissolution of a Civil Partnership?

The court can make various types of financial orders depending on your circumstances. These can include:

Lump Sum – Payment from one party to the other of assets or capital
Property – Sale or transfer of property, either immediately or at a future date.
Maintenance – Monthly payments to support a former spouse or in some cases the children if this falls outside of the Child Maintenance Service regime.
Pensions – Sharing pensions, which can often be one of the largest family assets.

Unmarried Couples: What happens when an unmarried couple separates?

Otherwise known as statutory rights, employee’s rights have been laid down to ensure all individuals are treated fairly in their place of work and have been put in place by the state (UK). Rights will differ depending on type of employment along with other variables and your employment contract.

Financial Settlements: How are financial settlements handled during divorce or separation?

We aim to resolve financial claims through constructive negotiations, always prioritising your future security. Settlements can be achieved through various methods, including solicitor-led negotiations, mediation, or collaborative law. If an agreement cannot be reached, you may need to commence proceedings in the family court.

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