WHAT WE DO
Prenuptial agreements
Cohabitation agreements
for unmarried couples
Divorce & related financial issues
Disputes about children including residence, contact, parental responsibility and specific issues
Changes of name for adults & children
Claims following the breakdown of relationships, eg against property
Social Services interventions about children such as care proceedings and adoptions
Injunctions against harassment, violence or for the occupation of the family home.
Inheritance claims
OUR ROLE
We aim to provide advice and representation
in a way that provides you with a positive outcome. We will
advise you on the relevant law and procedure and about your
rights. We try to take a conciliatory approach and to achieve
successful outcomes by negotiation. However, where Court
proceedings cannot be avoided then we will represent you
assertively.
HWK Family and Children department is well
known in the area for quality advice. We have excellent links
with other professionals such as barristers, accountants
and medical experts and we will be able to help you identify
the most suitable person for your case where that is appropriate.
Throughout we aim to give cost efficient
advice.
HOW WE CAN HELP
In divorce and separation you
may need help to present, defend or respond to a petition
at Court and to ensure that you get a fair financial settlement.

In disputes about children we can advise and represent you in connection with living arrangements, who the child has contact with and other specific concerns such as child abduction. This includes the rights of grandparents and other relatives or carers.

Should Social Services become
involved with your children we can support and represent
you in care proceedings, child protection investigations and adoption
matters.

When you are being harassed
or hurt or have been excluded from your home we can represent
you in an application to obtain an injunction for
personal protection or rights to occupy the family home.
We can also advise you upon pre-nuptial
agreements and documents setting out living arrangements
for couples who are not married.
Where arrangements result in
the need to sell or transfer the family home or assign associated
life policies then our Conveyancing team
can provide a seamless service to minimise any delay.
If you wish to change
your name or the name of your children after separation
then we can do that too. Deeds and wills can
be stored free of charge.

We can advise upon claims which can be made under the Inheritance Act against a person’s estate.
Positive comments from our clients
As part of our commitment to improving the service we provide, we send our clients feedback questionnaires and we are happy to share just some of the many positive comments we receive:
"At all times through a lengthy proctracted court ordeal, I consistently received level headed, professional advice which resulted in a very successful outcome, securing my future with my children forever. I will always be indebted to John Oldroyd and his team which made this happen" CC, Cockermouth
"The best outcome we could have wished for......this wouldn't have been possible without you" AH, Kendal
" I found the service to be excellent, professional, efficient and friendly" Anonymous, Ulverston
"An excellent level of service which I felt was appropriaten to my personal requirements and understanding of my needs. Thank you" Anonymous, Arnside
"A big thank you...wish I'd used you first time round. Totally professional, very knowledgeable, the service and advice is first class." NW, Kendal
Contact John.Oldroyd@hwlegal.co.uk
Keith.Wood@hwlegal.co.uk
Gail.Escolme@hwlegal.co.uk