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Adoption

If you decide to adopt a child, either in the UK or from overseas, having expert legal advice is key. Smith Roddam Solicitors can support you in this highly complex legal area.

The decision to adopt a child starts an involved legal process. There can be many people or bodies involved before the process is complete. Not just you as the prospective adopter, the children’s guardians or birth parents, local authorities, and, of course, the child. Where the child is being adopted from can add complications, and after the adoption, consider matters such as contact with birth relatives. If you object to an adoption, you need to know what to do too.

Smith Roddam Solicitors has expert family lawyers who can advise you on the adoption process from all sides. Regardless of where you plan to adopt from, options are explained before any action is taken. We clearly outline timescales, costs and what you should be thinking about at every stage of the adoption process. If you are having a child taken away, we can act for you too. We explain things in plain simple English and make sure you are kept informed throughout. We attend case conferences, at court or negotiate with social workers.

Adoption is a challenging time. To get the best advice, contact us today on 01388 881 611.

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Catherine Gatenby
Solicitor
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Family law

In today’s modern world there is no such thing as an ‘average’ family or ‘normal’ relationship. You may be married, living together, or separated. Children, step-children or adopted children are perhaps living with you or living elsewhere. Grandparents or other family members could also be involved. Whatever your situation, relationships can sometimes break down and that’s when turning to a family solicitor can really help you to resolve difficulties quickly.

Adoption

If you decide to adopt a child, either in the UK or from overseas, having expert legal advice is key. Smith Roddam Solicitors can support you in this highly complex legal area.

Arrangements for children

When a relationship breaks down and children are involved, your main concern will be to protect their wellbeing. So it’s good to know that at Smith Roddam Solicitors we make your children our number one priority too.

Change of name

If you decide to change your name, Smith Roddam Solicitors can help you to do this legally and properly.

Debt, care and benefits

Smith Roddam Solicitors’ lawyers know and understand what it feels like to be worried about matters connected to debt, care and benefits. We help you understand what the law is – and how to get the very best outcome whatever your life brings.

Dissolution

When a civil partnership or same sex marriage breaks down, you may decide it’s time to end the relationship and go your separate ways. Just as with divorce, there is a particular legal process for ending a civil partnership - often known as civil partnership dissolution.

Divorce

If you’re thinking about divorce, it’s good to get legal advice as soon as possible so that you know what your options are. From there, if you go on to decide to file for a divorce, it’s natural to have lots of questions about the process. You’ll want to know what impact divorce will have on your home, possessions and finances. And if you have children, you’ll want to know how to make the right decisions for them too.

Domestic violence

If you’re in a relationship that isn't working for you, either because you feel threatened or are with a violent or abusive partner, it can be difficult to know where to turn to for help - but it’s important not to suffer in silence. Asking for help is the first step to resolving the situation.

Financial arrangements

Deciding to end a relationship is never an easy decision. And whether you’re going through a separation or a divorce, it can be a stressful time. One of the more difficult aspects of any split is agreeing how to deal with financial matters.

Living together

More and more couples are choosing to live together and share their lives without getting married. And whilst emotionally, you may feel no different to a married couple; under the law, couples that live together without getting married do not share the same legal rights as those who marry. This can make things difficult if the relationship breaks down in the future particularly in regards to finance and property. And if children are involved, it’s important to protect their future too.

Prenuptial agreements

Planning a wedding is an exciting time - and also a time when you start thinking about your long-term future. You’re probably looking forward to a long and happy marriage but it’s also natural to wonder what unexpected twists and turns life might bring.

Separation

Making the decision to end a relationship and separate is rarely easy and sometimes you may need professional legal help to ensure the separation process is handled fairly. Whether you’re facing a marriage separation or are ending a relationship after living together, it’s likely that you’ll have lots of questions and concerns. You’ll want to know what will happen regarding your home, possessions and finances. And if children are involved, you’ll want to ensure that their wellbeing is the main priority.

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Why QualitySolicitors?

QualitySolicitors is the largest network of law firms in the UK, with local law firms spanning the whole of England and Wales and customer service at the heart of everything we do.

We are dedicated to providing the highest quality legal advice and expertise for our clients, but in a way that’s far friendlier, more accessible and clear-talking than you might expect from a law firm.