Trusted Family Law Advice When You Need It Most
Family legal matters are rarely straightforward. Whether you are facing the breakdown of a marriage, navigating arrangements for your children, or seeking urgent protection from an abusive partner, the decisions made during these periods have consequences that last for years. At K&A Solicitors, we understand that behind every case is a person — not just a legal problem — and we approach each matter with the seriousness, clarity, and discretion it deserves.
Based in Stockport Road, Manchester, our family law team acts for clients across Greater Manchester and beyond. We offer same-day appointments for urgent matters, so you are never left waiting when the situation demands immediate legal guidance.
Moving Forward with Clarity and Confidence
The decision to end a marriage is one of the most significant a person can make. Alongside the emotional weight of that decision comes a series of legal steps that, if not handled correctly, can lead to delays, financial complications, and unnecessary conflict.
At K&A Solicitors, we guide clients through every stage of the divorce process — from the initial application through to the final order — ensuring you understand exactly where you stand at each point.
The Divorce Process Explained
Since the introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, couples are no longer required to assign blame to obtain a divorce. Either one spouse or both spouses jointly can apply for a divorce without needing to cite adultery, unreasonable behaviour, or separation periods as grounds.
The process involves two key stages:
The minimum timeframe from application to Final Order is 26 weeks, though this can extend depending on whether financial or child arrangements are being resolved alongside the divorce itself.
Separation Agreements
Not every relationship breakdown leads immediately to divorce. For couples who separate but are not yet ready — or eligible — to divorce, a legally drafted separation agreement can set out how finances, property, and child arrangements will be managed in the interim. While not automatically binding in court, a well-drafted separation agreement carries significant weight and can form the foundation of a later financial consent order.
What We Do for You
If your separation involves complex assets, a business, pension division, or disputes over property, our team works in close coordination with our financial settlements practice to ensure every aspect is addressed comprehensively.
Protecting What Matters Most
When parents separate, the question of where children will live, how often they will see each parent, and how major decisions about their upbringing will be made becomes central to the entire process. These are matters where clarity and legal precision are not optional — they are essential.
The term “custody” has largely been replaced in English law with the concept of child arrangements, governed by the Children Act 1989. Courts in England and Wales operate on the principle that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration. Every recommendation we make and every strategy we advise on is built around that principle.
Types of Child Arrangements
Lives With Orders Formally establishes which parent a child primarily resides with. In many cases, a shared living arrangement is ordered, splitting the child’s time between both homes.
Spends Time With Orders Sets out when and how a child spends time with the non-resident parent, including regular contact, holiday arrangements, and special occasions.
Parental Responsibility Both married parents and most unmarried fathers automatically hold parental responsibility. Where this is disputed or where one party seeks to restrict the other’s decision-making rights, the court can intervene.
Prohibited Steps Orders Prevents a parent from taking a specific action — such as removing a child from the country — without court permission.
Specific Issue Orders Resolves a particular dispute about a child’s upbringing, such as which school they attend, whether they receive a specific medical treatment, or questions about religious upbringing.
Mediation Before Court
Before making an application to the court, most parents are required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). Mediation is not always appropriate — particularly where domestic abuse is involved — but where it is, it can resolve arrangements faster and at significantly lower cost than contested court proceedings. Our solicitors will advise you honestly on whether mediation is suitable in your circumstances and represent you robustly if the matter proceeds to court.
When Court Proceedings Are Necessary
Where agreement cannot be reached, we prepare and present strong, evidence-based applications to the Family Court. We handle:
We also act in cases involving international child abduction and relocation disputes, which require urgent and specialist legal intervention.
Securing Your Financial Future After Separation
The financial consequences of a divorce or separation can be as significant — and sometimes more so — than the emotional ones. Without a legally binding financial order in place, former spouses retain the right to make financial claims against each other indefinitely, even years after the divorce is finalised.
At K&A Solicitors, we advise on and negotiate financial settlements that are fair, legally sound, and built to protect your position now and in the future.
What Is Ancillary Relief?
Ancillary relief — now formally referred to as financial remedy proceedings — covers all financial claims arising from a divorce or civil partnership dissolution. This includes:
The Financial Disclosure Process
Before any settlement can be reached or ordered, both parties are required to provide full and frank financial disclosure through a document known as Form E. This sets out each party’s income, assets, liabilities, pension values, and financial needs. Failure to disclose fully is a serious matter and can result in court-imposed penalties or the setting aside of an agreement reached on incomplete information.
Our team scrutinises financial disclosure carefully and, where necessary, works with forensic accountants and financial advisers to identify hidden assets or undervalued interests.
Consent Orders
Where both parties agree on the financial settlement, that agreement must be submitted to the court as a draft consent order for judicial approval. A consent order, once approved, is legally binding and provides both parties with certainty and finality. Without one, an informal agreement — however detailed — offers no real legal protection.
Contested Financial Proceedings
Where agreement cannot be reached, financial remedy proceedings move through the court in a structured series of hearings:
We prepare thoroughly for each stage, building a clear case based on the law, the facts, and the financial evidence available.
Cohabitation Disputes
Financial disputes are not limited to married couples. Unmarried partners who separate may have claims over jointly owned or contributed-to property under the law of trust and equity. These cases require a different legal framework, and specialist advice is essential. We advise cohabiting couples on their rights and options, including the preparation of cohabitation agreements to protect both parties from the outset of a relationship.
Urgent Legal Protection for You and Your Family
Domestic abuse takes many forms — physical violence, coercive control, financial abuse, psychological manipulation, and harassment. Whatever form it takes, it is unlawful, and the law provides powerful mechanisms to protect those at risk.
At K&A Solicitors, we treat domestic abuse cases with the urgency and sensitivity they require. We offer same-day appointments for clients who need immediate advice, and we act quickly to obtain emergency protective orders where necessary.
Non-Molestation Orders
A non-molestation order is a court injunction that prohibits an abusive person from using or threatening violence against you, harassing or intimidating you, or contacting you directly or indirectly. Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. This makes it one of the most powerful protective tools available under the Family Law Act 1996.
Non-molestation orders can be obtained on an emergency basis — sometimes within 24 hours — without the abuser being notified in advance. These are known as without-notice (ex parte) applications, and they are granted where the risk of harm is immediate and serious.
Occupation Orders
An occupation order regulates who has the right to live in, enter, or remain in the family home. Where you have been forced to leave your home due to abuse, or where continued cohabitation presents a risk to your safety or that of your children, an occupation order can require the abusive party to leave the property and stay away from it.
The courts consider a range of factors in making occupation orders, including each party’s housing needs, the needs of any children, the financial resources of both parties, and the likely effect of making or not making the order.
Legal Aid in Domestic Abuse Cases
Legal aid may be available for victims of domestic abuse in family proceedings, subject to means and merits tests. We will advise you at your first appointment on whether you qualify and assist you in gathering the evidence required to support a legal aid application.
You do not need to face this alone. Our solicitors will advise you clearly on your options, act with speed where the situation demands it, and represent you with the full force of the law behind you.
Same-Day Appointments Family law emergencies do not wait for convenient timeslots. We offer same-day appointments for urgent matters, ensuring you receive qualified legal advice without delay.
Experienced Manchester Family Law Team Our solicitors have extensive experience handling family law cases across Greater Manchester, from straightforward uncontested divorces to complex multi-asset financial disputes and contested child arrangement proceedings.
Clear, Honest Advice We do not overstate the strength of a case or encourage unnecessary litigation. Our role is to give you an accurate picture of your legal position, explain your options, and help you make informed decisions.
Discretion and Confidentiality All matters discussed with our solicitors are strictly confidential. We create an environment in which clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive personal circumstances without fear or reservation.
Local Knowledge, Broader Reach Based on Stockport Road, Manchester, we are accessible to clients across Levenshulme, Gorton, Longsight, Didsbury, and the wider Greater Manchester area. We also act for clients further afield where circumstances require it.
How long does a divorce take in England and Wales? The minimum timeframe under the current no-fault divorce process is 26 weeks from the date of application. In practice, the timeline often extends if financial or child arrangement disputes are being resolved at the same time.
Can I apply for a non-molestation order without telling my partner? Yes. Where the risk of harm is immediate, an application can be made without notice to the other party. A judge can grant the order on the same day in urgent cases.
Do I need a solicitor for a consent order? Technically, you can draft and submit a consent order without a solicitor, but the risks of doing so incorrectly are significant. A poorly drafted order may be rejected by the court or, worse, may not adequately protect your interests. Legal advice at this stage is strongly recommended.
What happens if my ex refuses to engage in financial disclosure? The court has powers to compel disclosure and can draw adverse inferences if a party is found to be concealing or understating their financial position. We will advise you on enforcement options if the other party is being obstructive.
Will my case go to court? Not necessarily. Many family law matters — including divorce, financial settlements, and child arrangements — are resolved without ever requiring a contested hearing. However, where the other party is uncooperative or where urgent protective orders are needed, court proceedings may be necessary. We will always advise you on the most proportionate and cost-effective route.
Whatever your family law matter, K&A Solicitors is here to help. We offer same-day appointments for urgent cases and straightforward initial advice on all family law enquiries.
Call us: 01616606366 Visit us: 908 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3AD Online: kandasolicitors.co.uk
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