Family Law and Divorce

Our family team consists of two partners, Barbara Hopkin and Sarah Beskine, and four solicitors Sarah Bold, Celene Boatswain and Heike Zentner. We are supported by a team of trainee solicitors and paralegals. Members of our family team have a wide range of experience in all fields of family law and a number of us are on specialist panels and all are members of Resolution.

We are aware that family breakdown is a time of stress and sadness for everyone involved, and we aim to support you in a practical way at this difficult time by giving independent and expert advice.

Some clients may find mediation or collaborative law a preferable way to resolve matters and we will discuss these options with you. Sarah Bold is a trained collaborative lawyer.We can make a referral to professional mediation services and you can take legal advice from us at each stage, so that you can feel confident in any agreement you reach in mediation.

We specialise in helping you to resolve disputes regarding the division of the matrimonial assets and maintenance upon divorce, or the ending of a Civil Partnership or Cohabitation. Our experience ranges from disputes regarding limited assets to complex cases involving numerous properties, pensions, businesses and partnerships, trusts and large amounts of money. We advise on matters such as Child Support Agency maintenance and school fees.We can assist you in taking urgent action, for example if you suspect that assets have been hidden or are being dissipated.
 

If you have already reached a  proposed settlement or if agreement is being reached through mediation, we can advise you on the terms of the agreement and the next steps to formalise this.

We aim to provide our clients with comprehensive advice so that they are in a position to make an informed  decision as to what course of action they wish to take.If your case needs to be taken to court, we will discuss the entire process with you in advance so that you are prepared for any Court hearings and as far as possible we will give you an estimate of what your costs are likely to be at each stage.

We also advise clients who are considering entering into pre-nuptial, co-habitation and separation agreements.
 

What will it cost?

Depending upon your financial circumstances you may qualify for legal aid (now called public funding). We will automatically carry out an assessment when you first contact us to check whether or not you are eligible.


If you are not entitled to public funding we will discuss with you other ways of funding your case (see Fees)

How to contact us?

Contact us on 020 7272 1234, or email us at newclients@hmbsolicitors.co.uk