Family Law

Family disputes can be one of the most traumatic events a person has to deal with in their life. The breakup of a marriage or relationship can be complicated and emotional, particularly when children or property are involved.

Our Family Law team are able to help you with all aspects of family law and we pride ourselves on our ability to provide fast, clear and practical legal advice. We will deal with your case with discretion, sensitivity and a clear understanding of your needs to ensure we not only meet your expectations but exceed them. 

Our family law and divorce solicitors can provide expert legal assistance with:

Our family law specialist is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family solicitors who are committed to manage their cases in a constructive and non-confrontational approach to family law. This is a philosophy we strongly believe in and why we aim to resolve each and every case as cost effectively and amicably as possible. 

The high quality of service we provide has allowed the reputation of the family department to grow resulting in us not only acting for clients in the local area, but also those elsewhere in England, Wales and abroad.

We have local offices in Hoddesdon and Broxbourne where we will be happy to meet to discuss your needs. Our team are also happy to speak over the phone, via email or through video conferencing for your safety and convenience.

For a friendly, informal discussion with a member of our family law team about how we can help you, please get in touch:

Our family law services in Hertfordshire

Divorce & Separation

Getting divorced is one of the most difficult things you can go through, but it can be made much easier with the right legal advice. Providing practical, sympathetic support, our team will help guide you through this challenging time and on to the fresh start you need.

Our family law solicitors in Hertfordshire can assist with matters including:

  • Initiating divorce proceedings
  • Responding to divorce proceedings
  • Civil partnership dissolution
  • Achieving a financial separation
  • Making arrangements for children

See how we can help with divorce, separation & finance advice.

Children

When you have children, their wellbeing will be your top priority. We understand this and will work closely with you to understand what you need to achieve to give your children the best possible upbringing, while defending your rights as a parent.

Our family lawyers can assist with issues such as:

  • Where your children will live
  • What time children should spend with each parent
  • Contact with non-resident parents
  • Child maintenance
  • Relocation of children

See how we can help with children law.

Prenuptial agreements & postnuptial agreements

More and more couples are choosing to protect their future financial security with prenuptial agreements (‘prenups’) and postnuptial agreements (‘postnups’). This can provide peace of mind, as well as reducing the likelihood of conflict in the event of separation.

Our Family Law team can assist with matters including:

  • Drafting prenups & postnups
  • Reviewing a prenup or postnup you have been asked to sign
  • Negotiating the terms of prenups & postnups
  • Advice on the application of a prenup or postnup during divorce
  • Pre-civil partnership agreements

See how we can help with prenuptial agreements & postnuptial agreements.

Cohabitation agreements

Couples who live together without getting married or entering a civil partnership have no legal rights to each other’s property or income if they separate. This can be particularly problematic for cohabiting couples with children. A cohabitation agreement allows you to set out how your home, savings and other assets will be divided in the event of separation.

Our family lawyers in Hertfordshire can assist with matters such as:

  • Drafting cohabitation agreements
  • Reviewing a cohabitation agreement you have been asked to sign
  • Negotiating the terms of cohabitation agreements
  • Advice on the application of a cohabitation agreement during a separation

See how we can help with cohabitation agreements.

Domestic abuse

There are many forms of domestic abuse, including physical, verbal and emotional, all of which can have devastating impact on the victims. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, it is critical to get specialist support as soon as possible to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Our family law solicitors can provide immediate advice and support for options such as:

  • Non-molestation Orders
  • Occupation Orders
  • Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Forced Marriage Protection Orders

See how we can help with domestic abuse.

Our family law pricing

Fixed fee divorce & family law services

We are able to offer certain of our family law services on a fixed fee basis, including guiding you through the legal process of getting divorced. This means we will agree a price in advance for carrying out specific work, so you know the exact costs involved from the outset.

Hourly rates for family law advice

For more complex work, where the time involved is harder to predict (such as making financial settlements and arrangements for children), we will typically work to an agreed hourly rate. We will provide a realistic estimate of costs and keep you updated about expenditure, so you always remain in control of the costs.

How we get the right outcome for you while removing unnecessary conflict from family law

When dealing with family legal matters, the first question we always ask is what you want to achieve. In most cases, clients tell us they want to keep conflict to a minimum and to avoid court proceedings if at all possible.

Our team have strong skills in negotiation, allowing us to find amicable solutions to most family law situations. We can refer clients for options such as mediation, which can be highly effective, especially for making arrangements for finances and children during divorce.

Where court proceedings are required, we will do everything we can to make the process the least stressful we possibly can. Our team will talk you through exactly what to expect, including the likely outcomes, ensure all applications are made correctly and make sure you have the best possible representation for any hearings that take place.

Whatever approach is needed, our family lawyers will be by your side, every step of the way, giving you all of the legal and emotional support you need.

Speak with our family lawyers in Hoddesdon & Broxbourne

For a friendly, informal discussion with a member of our family law team about how we can help you, please get in touch:

What our clients say

  • "No improvement to service needed. Alison was the epitome of professional calm in going over options and maintaining patience, and indeed advised against a path that certainly would have achieved higher fees for her, but the correct call in retrospect. So I feel her advice was professional and unbiased. She was attentive in keeping me appraised of news, and maintained a polite and stress free approach which kept me calm and optimistic a final result in my favour would occur. Would recommend her, and the firm, to others." Anon
  • “Dealt with Alison primarily for Power of Attorney, very helpful and polite.” Anon
  • “I cannot think of any way that we could have had better service!!!” Anon
  • "Our solicitor has been extremely conscientious at all times, always available to advise and above all has always been very supportive and empathetic to my case. He really did make a stressful situation a lot easier for myself and my family" Mrs T
  • "We used this wonderful firm for a recent home sale and purchase, their service was outstanding. Everything was carried out with the utmost care and attention and all the staff including a senior Partner were so friendly and helpful. Absolutely top notch." Anon
  • "Over the past 8 years Teresa Braddon and her team have created my Will and have done numerous conveyancing transactions for myself and my family.  I have found Teresa and her Team most helpful and efficient. Everything was carried out with care and attention. All the staff including Teresa, a senior Partner, were friendly and helpful. I would recommend Braddon and Snow and their services." Tony Stavrou
  • "I would highly recommend Braddon & Snow to anybody, very professional and efficient service. They treat you like a person rather than just a number. I am mentally disabled and sometimes I do not get respect or understanding shown to me. Braddon & Snow couldn’t of been more kind and they always took the time to explain all the legal terminology to me so I understood. I would especially like to thank Emily Morten and Jane Blackett as they really went above and beyond what they had to. Value for money and excellent staff. Use this company."  Mr M Brooke
  • "Thank you all so very much for all your help and kindest attention over the years.   In every conceivable way you go out of your way, above and beyond any expectations. You are incredible, and all your team are unbelievably pleasant. I hope these few lines go a little way to thank you so very much."  Mr M Ledger
  • "May I say that Laya has been fantastic.  She has been an absolute delight to speak with, always giving clear and positive instructions and pacifying when necessary.  Please be assured we will definitely recommend your company and hopefully be in a position to use your services again and again." L Page
  • "We found dealing with Braddon & Snow very pleasant and relaxed.  We had a few problems dealing with the seller's leaseholder solicitors which needed a lot of patience and Teresa and Laya were very helpful at all times and very easy to communicate with." R & J Keith
  • It’s been an absolute delight and superb to work your Conveyance Team of Jane Blackett and Emily, providing first class services. Dedicated and smart resolutions to most difficult queries. Our sincerest and dearest appreciation for their magnificent services and friendly communication throughout
  • I appreciate the efficiency of your team (Louise, Sara, Elle, Melanie, Alex, Lauren etc) during this crisis. You were always easy to get and had a great phone forwarding system with access to the details on transactions. Everybody was very helpful, responsive and friendly. You can be proud of the company you work for. 
  • I cannot speak highly enough of the service given to me in the sale and purchase of my properties last week by Jane Blackett and Ken Sheppard at the Broxbourne office. They dealt with my matters promptly and with care and commitment. Nothing was too much trouble and they were always there to speak to me when needed. Everything was done with professionalism and courtesy. They ensured that everything was covered and I felt very confident in their dealings with all matters concerned. I recommend them without hesitation to give their clients a smooth and excellent service.
  • The best thing throughout this process was the professionalism shown by the Conveyancing Team at Braddon and Snow Solicitors, our case was handled by Melanie and her very able assistant Roksana.  Although we were frustrated and sometimes very ratty, they kept very calm and dealt with all of our enquiries and problems as they came along, most of all they kept us advised and up to date.  We in all honesty could not have asked for or been supported any better by these two Ladies. Towards the end, we were calling Roksana on a regular daily basis, and were delighted to hear her positive and cheerful friendly voice.  I would highly recommend these Ladies to anyone, unlike the Firm that they were dealing with, who would not even respond to their calls.