Family Law Fees | Family Law | Howells Solicitors
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Family Law Fees

Family Law Fees

Howells Solicitors boasts one for the largest family law teams in the region and are highly regarded for their client care and expertise in matrimonial and family matters.

 

Our affordable and fixed fee services for family law matters are designed to give you peace of mind over costs at what can be a stressful time. We are considerably lower costs than most law firms, particularly compared with in the south of England, however you still get the same high quality legal advice. The straightforward nature of certain proceedings means that our expertise can be used to progress matters much more quickly – saving time, money and upset. The emphasis is on a professional, efficient, cost-effective service, allowing you to move on as swiftly and painlessly as possible.

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Before Marriage

Before getting married you can protect your assets and finances by drawing up a pre nuptial agreement. This is an agreement made by a couple before they marry concerning the ownership of their assets if the marriage should fail.

Pre nuptial Agreements

Fee dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote

Costs may vary depending on value of assets, whether an analysis of financial disclosure is required or if there is a dispute. One of our family law experts will advise you specifically of the costs in your initial free meeting.

Post nuptial Agreements

Fee dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote

A post-nuptial agreement is similar to a pre-nuptial agreement but entered following a marriage or civil union. Costs may vary depending on value of assets, whether an analysis of financial disclosure is required or if there is a dispute. One of our family law experts will advise you specifically of the costs in your initial free meeting.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

When You Are Considering Divorce

Our experienced team of family law solicitors have a wealth of experience handling complex divorce cases, involving both children and high net worth finances and assets. We also have a Collaborative Law department and can act for clients who are seeking an amicable resolution.

Fixed Fee Divorce

Divorce proceedings (as Applicant)

£399 + VAT (£79.80) + Court fees (£593) and any other disbursements such as if there is need for a translation of your marriage certificate = Total £1,071.80 + disbursements

What is covered?
Advising you in the office, preparing the divorce papers, an initial letter to your spouse or their solicitor, checking the acknowledgment of service form filed by your spouse, preparing the subsequent application forms to secure a divorce.

What is not covered?
Contested divorce proceedings: If your divorce is contested, we will need to provide an estimate of your future costs. Dealing with complicating factors such as difficulties in serving your spouse with the divorce papers or them refusing to co-operate. Special applications for costs orders against your spouse or other costs incidental to the case such as service fees for an Enquiry Agent.

Divorce proceedings (as Respondent)

£275 + VAT (£55) and any other disbursements = Total £330 + disbursements

What is covered?
Advising you in the office, completing and returning the acknowledgement of service to the court, all correspondence with you, the other side and the Court, notifying you of each stage in the proceedings up to the obtaining of the final divorce order.

What is not covered?
Contested divorce proceedings: If your divorce is contested, we will need to provide an estimate of your future costs. Dealing with complicating factors such as disputes over costs or applying for the final divorce order on your behalf if your spouse fails to apply for it.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

Financial Clean Break Settlement

Highly competitive fees dependent on the case –  contact our enquiry team for a free quote

Depending on the level of experience/seniority you require to achieve the best outcome possible the hourly rates of our family law experts range between £130 – £250 + VAT.

Collaborative Law

Highly competitive fees dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

Financial Remedy Advice & Proceedings

Highly competitive fees dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote

If you and your partner can come to an agreement on finances and how to divide assets then you can avoid having to go through the family courts. If however, communication has broken down or you can’t reach an agreement, then we are here to guide you through the process.

Depending on the level of experience/seniority you require to achieve the best outcome possible the hourly rates of our family law experts range between £130 – £250 + VAT.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

When You’re Living Together

Cohabitation Agreements

If you are living with a partner and are not married, you can also protect your assets and finances by creating a cohabitation agreement. This agreement outlines what each party is entitled to if the relationship should fail.

Fee dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

Separation Agreements

If you have separated from a partner and are not married, you can protect your financial position on separation by entering a separation agreement preventing further claims against each other in future.

Fee dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

When Children Are Involved

We know that a divorce or separation can have a tremendous impact on children. If you are in the process of separating or getting divorced, and you have children, you will need to consider the arrangements for their future including a Child Custody agreement (now known as a Child Arrangements agreement)  If unfortunately, you cannot reach an agreement with your former partner then our experts can assist guide you through the Court process to ensure that the arrangements for your children are appropriate.

Child Custody and Child Access & Child Maintenance 

Fees dependent on the case – contact our enquiry team for a free quote

Depending on the level of experience/seniority you require to achieve the best outcome possible the hourly rates of our family law experts range between £130 – £250 + VAT.

Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

Additional Services

 

Adult Change of Name

£130 + VAT (£26.00) = Total £156.00

What is covered?
A meeting to enable us to conduct the required ID checks, and if satisfactory, draft the change of name deed and then print it off for you to sign in our presence.

What is not covered?
Advice on children’s change of names or any other linked family matter. We can advise you separately on these matters.

Domestic Violence (injunction court proceedings for a non-molestation or occupation order)

Fees dependent on the circumstances – contact our enquiry team for a free quote

Domestic Violence (warning letter)

£175 + VAT (£35) = Total £210

What is covered?
Advising you as to options available, preparing and sending a warning letter to the other side, confirming in writing the advice given and options open to you.

We can also give preliminary advice to a person who is the respondent in injunction proceedings or has received a warning letter from the other side and requires advice in the office and a letter sending on their behalf.

What is not covered?
Advising you on letters then received in response from the other side or their solicitor, or undertaking court proceedings.

 

Free Consultation

Our family law team offer an initial free 30-minute consultation where we will assess your case and advise you on the most appropriate course of action. In this consultation we will discuss with you whether a fixed fee service would be an option for you, or we fully explain the costs involved if you wish to take your matter further.

Consultations can be made face-to-face, on the phone or video call, as well as flexible appointments that can be arranged to fit around lunch breaks or work commitments. And be rest assured that our specialists are friendly, compassionate, and understanding and are highly regarded for their client care. Contact us to book an appointment or call us on 0114 2235 807.

Contact our team today

Request a Call back

The Howells Solicitors law team are compassionate, down-to-earth and professional, offering you the best expert advice. Get in touch with solicitors in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley to see how we can help. Fill in the form or give us a call at:

Solicitors for Family Law

The Howells Solicitors family law team are one of the largest in South Yorkshire England. They specialise in a wide range of family law services, including divorce, financial settlementschild custody arrangementscollaborative law, care proceedings, adoption, guardianship, child abduction and domestic abuse, to name a few areas.

The team have an exceptional reputation for dealing with a vast range of cases, from high-net-worth  finances to complex cases involving children. The team also have extensive experience of representing clients at court, including parents, grandparents, guardians, and children.

The team covers the entirety of South Yorkshire, with offices in Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham. However they also regularly take instruction from clients from across the UK, including regular instruction from clients in London and the surrounding areas.

The team are supervised by the sensitive and compassionate Alyson Siddal  who understands that she is not dealing with ‘cases’ but with people. Alyson has been a key part of Howells Solicitors for over 30 years and offers a wealth of expertise and experience in divorce and family law matters.

The team also includes senior divorce solicitor and director Sharon Lockwood, who is a highly regarded in Rotherham and the rest of South Yorkshire. Sharon is a specialist in complex cases involving children and high value assets. Sharon is also very active in the local community of South Yorkshire and receives a high amount of praise from her clients and colleagues and has established herself as one of the most distinguish divorce specialists in the region.

The team also includes family law solicitor and director John Clegg who is a family law specialist and covers all aspects of family law including divorce, civil partnership and cohabitation breakdown, financial matters arising on separation and divorce, pre and post-nuptial agreements and protection from domestic abuse.

Client Feedback

The team rank number 2 in Sheffield, and number 1 in Rotherham and Barnsley on Review Solicitors with an average ranking of 4.9 out of 5 stars in reviews received and 99% of former clients confirm they would recommend the firm, which is a testament to the quality of advice they provide and their exceptional client care. The team are often praised for their professionalism, compassion, empathy, and kindness.

“Thank you so much for all you have done. I cannot speak highly enough of you & everyone I have met at Howells. I have already recommended Howells & yourself to the specialist teams I am now in contact with & will continue to do so.”

“Many thanks again for your invaluable help, advice and your calm, approachable manner. It is very much appreciated!”

“Howells provided a great service and worked quickly and efficiently to get the job completed to try to keep my costs down too. I would recommend Sharon and the team.”

“Excellent service with prompt response time.”

“I used Sharon Lockwood in my extremely messy and prolonged divorce case, and I cannot thank her enough. She was kind and caring at times when I was very distressed and at the same time both efficient and professional.”

“Sharon was exceptional from our first telephone call and throughout this process. Professional, supportive, knowledgeable, and very clear.”

“Sharon has been a rock she explains everything every step of the way she has gotten me through a very tough year, and I will be for ever grateful to her.”

“I chose to sort my divorce and financial settlement with Sharon Lockwood at Howells solicitors after seeing other reviews. I was not disappointed in any way, shape, or form. She is very professional and quick off the ball. I would highly recommend Sharon and her colleagues at Howells for a fast and very efficient service and would use again if needed.”

Legal 500 Ranking

2018 – Tier 3 – “The Howells family team works across Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, with Alyson Siddall focusing on high-value financial work, and co-leading the team alongside Sharon Lockwood, whose expertise lies in matters involving tax elements and inherited assets, and John Clegg, who brings extensive experience regarding complex cases involving children. The team undertakes a wide range of family work, with notable expertise in working on complex domestic abuse and care cases.”

2021 – Tier 2 – “Howells fields a substantial family team, which also features eight Children Panel members and five Resolution accredited panel members. Practice head Alyson Siddall is a key name for high-value financial work, advising clients in high-net-worth cases involving significant assets and pensions. John Clegg is particularly well known and respected for children and finance work. He is one of a handful of solicitors in the city who still does finance legal aid work.”

2022 – Tier 1 Ranking – “The team are particularly well known for high-net-worth cases. In addition, the practice has a strong regional reputation.”

2023 – Tier 2 Ranking – “The team undertakes a wide range of family work, with notable expertise in working on complex domestic abuse and care cases.”

Professional Feedback

“A go to for complex children matters. Is thorough and deals with cases with a level of detail and knowledge that are truly impressive.  Has the detail of every aspect of the case at her fingertips. She is also sensitive and compassionate in her approach to clients, but quite capable of delivering difficult and realistic advice.”

“Sharon Lockwood is dedicated to seeking very practical solutions to financial cases. Tenacious but also very realistic at the same time”

“Alyson Siddall is a pleasure to deal with and is very knowledgeable and competent. She also has a very calm manner, which I am sure is appreciated by clients and other professionals alike.”

“An effective and tenacious advocate known for his thorough, sensible and constructive approach. Has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of financial and children cases and the safest pair of hands no matter how difficult the case.”

“Excellent Collaborative lawyer and a leading family solicitor in Sheffield. Experienced, dedicated and knowledgeable.”

“Thorough in preparation, experienced, excellent with clients, willing to go above and beyond and a strong presence in the courtroom.”