Lonsdales can help you resolve any family difficulties as amicably and constructively as possible.
The breakdown of a marriage or other family problems are always traumatic and here at Lonsdales we do our utmost to help ease the situation and reach the best outcome for those involved.

As a result of your circumstances you will probably find it hard to get your mind round legalities, and other important details, which is why it is vital you seek the assistance of someone who will both understand your situation and look after your interests.
At Lonsdales we have specialists in family law who offer a sympathetic and caring service and give expert advice and guidance.

Separation and Divorce
For anyone experiencing marital problems it is often a relief just to be able to discuss your concerns with someone who understands your distress and needs and can give unbiased advice.
You should not view a visit to your solicitor as an irreversible step towards divorce. It is part of our duty to examine any possibility of reconciliation and as such we can offer a full mediation service where appropriate.
The only ground for divorce is when a marriage has irretrievably broken down and this can be shown in a number of ways. You must of course have been married for at least a year before divorce is possible. Our advice and guidance concerns your own welfare and that of any children.

Children
The law encourages couples to agree on all matters concerning children. Both parents will retain parental responsibility following a divorce and the court will not make any orders unless there is a dispute.
If the couple are not married, the mother has sole responsibility for the children. However, the child's natural father can aquire Parental Responsibility either by obtaining the mother's agreement, by joint registration on the Birth Certificate, by an application to the Court, or by marriage to the mother. We will help settle any disputes amicably with careful, tactful discussion.

Child Care Proceedings
If your children are thought to be at risk from any physical or emotional harm, then the Local Authority may take proceedings to attempt to remove your children from your care. Legal representation is important in these circumstances as the events can be overwhelming and emotional, and the outcome far reaching. Lonsdales has long experience in family law, with a solicitor on the Law Society Family Law Panel and who is a Resolution Accredited Specialist.

Community Legal Service (formerly Legal Aid)
Anyone can apply for funding from Community Legal Service. Whether you qualify depends on your financial position. Children however usually qualify in their own right irrespective of their parents' financial position.
Lonsdales has been awarded a Community Legal Services franchise that ensures children are given a quality service and that we can act faster than non-franchised firms in emergency situations, such as the return of your children, or injunctions.

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Lonsdales can help give you and your loved ones security and peace of mind for the future.
We all need to give thought to our own future and those of our loved ones and it is in everyone's best interests to get sound legal advice to ensure it is as secure as possible.
Here at Lonsdales we have a team specially trained in the area of probate, tax and wills that offers advice in a sympathetic and efficient manner. We know there can often be sensitive issues involved for our clients and always aim to give reassurance and provide the highest quality legal advice.
It is critical that you do make plans for the future and there is no reason why you should not do it now. Sound legal advice could both give you peace of mind and perhaps help you save thousands of pounds.

Wills & Tax
People often put off making a will, but we do all we can to make the process as simple and straight-forward as possible. Our expertise and knowledge of making wills is invaluable to our clients when they embark on this important task. We help them make their wills clear and brief and give sound legal advice on the implications of them.
There are many considerations when making a will and we will help you look at them all with the benefit of our professional experience.
There may be children to think about, and there are executors to appoint and legacies and funeral instructions to consider.

Once you have made a will it is also important that it is regularly reviewed.

An important area where we can be of valuable assistance is tax penalties and how to minimise them.
What we would stress above all is that from our years of experience we know the problems that can arise when someone dies without a will. Your money may not go to who you thought it would and this could lead to increased upset at a very difficult time.

Probate
Lonsdales can help with probate and the administration of estates following a person's death, whether they left a will or died 'intestate'. We also deal with the making of Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Another area where our specialist training is of great help to our clients is the administration of trusts. We manage a number of trusts with a variety of purposes and can tell you about the potential benefits of establishing one, either during your lifetime or as part of your will.