A guide to family law

We understand that family law is a sensitive issue, so it’s important to us at Hay & Kilner that you’re equipped with all the information you may need. Understanding family law’s key aspects can make all the difference when facing personal legal challenges.

Our family law services play an integral role in supporting you and your family through various life transitions. Whether you're dealing with divorce, child custody, or complicated financial arrangements, the Hay & Kilner team are here to provide you with the right legal support.

We believe that family law should be easy to understand, and we never want our clients to feel overwhelmed or like they don’t know enough to reach out — especially when you’re in a situation where family legal advice is needed. With this in mind, we’ve put together a family law guide including the basics and key terms with definitions to get you started.

A basic overview of family law

Family law is an umbrella term for a wide range of legal issues that primarily affect families and family relationships. In simple terms, the family law framework is designed to address disputes, protect rights, and ensure fair results for everyone involved.

Every family is different. Due to the nature of family relationships, the scope of family law is quite broad, covering aspects of family life and relationships including marriage, divorce, child custody, and financial settlements.

What does family law cover?

As we’ve already mentioned, family law covers a variety of areas, and each area comes with its own set of rules and regulations.

1. Marriage and civil partnerships

Family law ensures that these relationships are started and ended in a fair and correct way for both parties. It includes understanding your rights and responsibilities, creating prenuptial agreements to decide how any assets are divided if the relationship ends, and handling annulments if a marriage is declared invalid.

2. Divorce and separation

If you’ve to end a relationship or a marriage, divorce law aims to help couples legally separate their lives. This could include the fair division of property and assets, establishing financial arrangements, and making decisions about the living situations of any children involved.

3. Child custody

When parents separate, family law solicitors can help determine where the child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. It also involves setting up child maintenance payments, which are financial contributions from one parent to help cover the child’s living expenses. The main concern in these cases is adhering to the best interests of the child.

4. Adoption and guardianship

If you wish to become the legal parent or guardian of a child who is not yours biologically, family solicitors will ensure that the rights of the child are protected.

5. Domestic violence and protection orders

To protect individuals from domestic violence and abuse, family lawyers have access to legal tools that help keep you safe by preventing the abuser from contacting or approaching you. With fast acting legal experts, the Hay & Kilner team can provide you with the immediate legal support that you require, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

6. Financial settlements and property division

When a marriage or partnership ends, one of the key tasks is to divide your property and finances — including any savings, pensions, and debts. Family law makes sure that this division is fair, taking into account everyone’s contributions and needs.

Ultimately, the primary goal of family law is to resolve disputes amicably and to always protect the interests of all individuals — and, particularly, any children involved.

What is a family solicitor?

A family law solicitor is a legal professional that specialises in the sector of family law. They are fully qualified to provide expert advice and representation in legal proceedings related to family matters, and are invaluable when it comes to guiding clients through legal processes.

Hay & Kilner are proud to provide experienced family law experts to assist individuals and their families with the different aspects of family law across Newcastle and the wider region.

What do family law solicitors do?

Our family law solicitors offer a range of legal services to help resolve family-related legal issues. The Hay & Kilner family law team services include:

• Providing legal advice: Offering guidance on family law matters and explaining legal rights and obligations.

• Negotiating settlements: Assisting clients in reaching amicable agreements through negotiation and mediation.

• Representing clients in court: Advocating on behalf of clients during legal proceedings.

• Drafting legal documents: Preparing documents such as divorce petitions, consent orders, and parenting plans.

At Hay & Kilner, our experienced family law solicitors are committed to delivering high-quality legal services — no matter your situation. To find out more about how we can help you, get in touch.

Key terms and definitions used in family law

Family law comes with a lot of jargon. Here are a few explainers, terms, and definitions to give you a better understanding of family law terms your may encounter:

What is consent order in family law?

A consent order is a legally binding agreement that gets approved by the court. It outlines the terms of a financial settlement in a divorce or a separation. They provide a sense of security and finality, preventing any future disagreements over financial arrangements.

What is mediation in family law?

Mediation is a voluntary process that involves a neutral third party (the mediator). The mediator helps parties in a disagreement to reach a mutual agreement. Mediation is often opted for to avoid the stress and cost of court proceedings and is something that the Hay & Kilner team can facilitate.

What is negotiation in family law?

Negotiation is where anyone involved in a dispute works together, often with the help of family law solicitors like those at Hay & Kilner, to reach an agreement without going to court. This involves open communication and compromise to resolve the issues at hand.

Family law services with Hay & Kilner

Navigating family law can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Our experienced family law solicitors in Newcastle are here to provide you with the guidance and support you need. We’re proud to offer comprehensive family law services to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Learn more about our team and explore our family law services to see how we can help.

Don't hesitate to get in touch for personalised family law advice and support. We can help you handle the issues of family law with confidence and peace of mind.