At Duncan Lewis & Co our Family Department offers a sympathetic and confidential service in relation to all of your family-related legal problems. Our friendly, professional and experienced staff will endeavour to help you through what can be a difficult and stressful time in your life.

We specialise in the following areas (click for detail):

   Divorce/Separation

   Financial and Property

   Domestic Violence

   Other Family matters

Divorce/Separation

When a relationship breaks down, the emotional difficulties can make dealing with the practical issues seem almost impossible. At Duncan Lewis & Co we understand these difficulties and with shrewd assessment of the situation and a sympathetic ear, we can often smooth this bumpy road towards a successful outcome.

We provide assistance in the following areas:

   Contested divorce proceedings

   Uncontested divorce proceedings

   Nullity and Judicial Separation

   Arrangements for children following a Divorce or Separation

Financial & Property

Our main aim in these matters is to protect your financial well-being. We will help you to agree financial settlements that are realistic and enable you to retain sufficient assets and income for your future. Where children are involved we will assist you to agree a reasonable level of maintenance for them looking after the interests of the children whilst taking into account overall financial well-being.

We provide assistance in the following areas:

   Financial matters arising from the dissolution of marriage/nullity or judicial separation (Ancillary Relief)

   Pensions (Ancillary Relief)

   Child maintenance (both married and unmarried couples)

   Pre nuptial agreements

   Property disputes for unmarried couples

   International issues

Money and property can be the cause of many of the disputes following the breakdown of a relationship. We offer a perceptive appreciation of all the concerns and difficulties and then take a practical and professional approach to resolution whether it is by negotiation or court action.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be abuse between family members or related persons. Domestic violence takes on many forms: actual physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, emotional abuse, threatening telephone calls, disturbances at a place of employment, stalking, and other forms of dominance and control. It is also distinguished from other kinds of abuse because of the special relationship between the persons.

We provide assistance in the following areas:

   Injunctions (Non-Molestation Orders)

   Dealing with the occupancy of the family home (Occupation Orders)

   Powers of Arrest

   Enforcement

   Contacting groups offering support

   Children Private Law

In times of emergency, we can offer same day appointments and attend court to obtain injunctions.

We provide sensitive and realistic advice to those in need to help after suffering domestic violence or harassment. Our Family solicitors are experienced in effectively dealing with these problems using prompt and supportive action.

Other Family matters:

   Parental Responsibility

   Disputes between unmarried couples

   Contact and Residence Orders

   Prohibitive Steps Orders

   Issues relating to children

   Specific Issues Orders

   Adoption

   Child Abduction

Legal Aid is available to deal with all aspects of Family work. In respect of Childcare work Legal Aid is always available, regardless of your financial situation. Privately funded work is also covered, with reasonable rates being charged and clients kept updated about the cost of their case.