Services for Me

Family Law

Our family law solicitors are here for you. Whether you're going through a divorce, need to draft up a cohabitation agreement, or require a change of name deed, our team of family law solicitors will support and guide you through the process.

The team is vastly experienced across all areas in family law and is recognised as a Tier 1 team by the Legal500, a reputable directory that ranks law firms and their teams based on testimonials and in-depth interviews. Our family law lawyers are also recognised by Chambers And Partners, another authoritative law firm directory.

                                           

What we cover

Our family law solicitors are able to handle a wide range of cases. So if you need advice on:

We're here for you. Give us a call on 0845 55 55 321, or fill in one of our Contact forms and a member of our team will be in touch. 

We serve clients across the West Midlands with local offices in Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Ludlow, Telford and Worcester.

Please note we do not offer a free consultation process on Family matters.
 

What our clients say

"Divorce is a stressful emotional and in my case complex thing to navigate. Katherine and Angela at MFG were brilliant. They helped and guided me all the way through. Avoided a costly court case and enabled the whole process to be as pain free as possible. They were always supportive and there to help me and didn't over charge. I would recommend them to anyone."

"I was represented by Katherine Tippetts & her team. A thoroughly professional and friendly experience, considering I was going through a very difficult divorce. The end result was worth it. Thank you. I was further represented by Javed Ahmed and his team for conveyancing on my house to transfer into my sole name. A very smooth and efficient service."

"Richard's professionalism, expertise, and constant communication, often beyond normal hours, have been invaluable. Thanks to his guidance and advice, I have navigated this difficult period with greater ease."

"Both Beth and Katie work extremely well as a team. The whole experience of divorce has personally, been extremely harrowing for me. It has been a very long and drawn out process due to my ex-wife. Beth has been extremely patient and professional throughout. The advice has always been sound and well thought out with every angle covered. Both Beth and Katie have an uncanny knack of putting across what is complicated legal jargon into easy to understand layman's terms."
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do prenuptial and postnuptial agreements do in the UK?

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements set out how a couple’s finances, property and assets should be divided if the marriage breaks down.

The key difference is timing. A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is entered into before marriage. A postnuptial agreement (postnup) is entered into after marriage. In England and Wales, these agreements are not automatically legally binding. However, the court will give them significant weight if:

  • both parties received independent legal advice
  • there was full financial disclosure
  • the agreement is fair
  • it was entered into freely, without pressure
  • (for prenups) it was signed at least 28 days before the wedding

These agreements are commonly used to:

  • protect pre-acquired wealth
  • safeguard business interests
  • ringfence inheritance
  • deal with changes in financial circumstances
  • provide clarity and reduce future disputes

Postnuptial agreements are particularly useful where:

  • financial circumstances change during the marriage
  • one party receives an inheritance
  • a business grows or is created
  • a couple reconciles after separation

When properly prepared, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can be powerful tools in avoiding costly and protracted litigation, while providing clarity and certainty for both parties.

What is the meaning of a non-molestation order?

A non-molestation order is a type of court injunction made under the Family Law Act 1996 to protect an individual from domestic abuse or harassment.

It can prohibit a person from:

  • using or threatening violence
  • intimidating, harassing or pestering the applicant
  • contacting the applicant directly or indirectly
  • attending or coming near the applicant’s home or workplace

Non-molestation orders are often made urgently and without notice to the other party where there is a risk of immediate harm.

Importantly, breach of a non-molestation order is a criminal offence.
This means the police can arrest the person, and the court can impose penalties including fines or imprisonment.

These orders are a key protective measure for individuals experiencing domestic abuse and can provide immediate and effective legal protection.

What child arrangement is best for children after separation?

There is no single “best” child arrangement — the court’s overriding concern is the welfare of the child.

In England and Wales, the court applies the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989, considering factors such as:

  1. the child’s needs
  2. their wishes and feelings (depending on age and understanding)
  3. the likely effect of any change in circumstances
  4. the capability of each parent to meet their needs

Child arrangements can include:

  • shared care between both parents
  • the child living primarily with one parent and spending time with the other
  • more structured arrangements depending on the family’s circumstances.

In practice, the most beneficial arrangements are those that provide stability consistency and minimise parental conflict.

The court does not favour one parent over the other — its focus is on ensuring the child has a safe, stable and meaningful relationship with both parents, where appropriate.

What is the difference between a restraining order and a stalking protection order?

A restraining order and a stalking protection order are both designed to protect individuals from harassment or harm, but they arise in different legal contexts and are used at different stages.

A restraining order is made by a criminal court, usually following criminal proceedings. It can be imposed after a conviction, or in some cases an acquittal, to protect a victim from further harm.

A stalking protection order (SPO) is applied for by the police under civil legislation and does not require a criminal conviction. It is designed to address stalking behaviour at an early stage and prevent it from escalating.

Key differences include:

  • restraining orders are made by the criminal courts, whereas stalking protection orders are applied for by the police
  • restraining orders typically follow criminal proceedings, whereas stalking protection orders are preventative
  • stalking protection orders can impose both prohibitions and positive requirements, such as attending intervention programmes

Importantly, breach of either order is a criminal offence, and can result in arrest and prosecution.

Both orders provide important protection, but they operate at different points in the legal process, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Is everything split 50/50 in a divorce in the UK?

A common misconception is that assets are automatically divided 50/50 on divorce. In England and Wales, this is not always the case.

The court’s role is to achieve a fair outcome, not simply to divide everything equally.

The starting point may be equality, particularly in longer marriages, but this can be adjusted depending on the circumstances of the case.

The court considers a range of factors under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, including:

  • the income, earning capacity and financial resources of each party
  • their financial needs, obligations and responsibilities
  • the standard of living during the marriage
  • the age of the parties and the length of the marriage
  • contributions made by each party, including non-financial contributions
  • the welfare of any children

In many cases, particularly where there are children or limited resources, the court will prioritise meeting needs over achieving equality.

This means one party may receive more than 50% of the assets, especially where this is necessary to ensure suitable housing or financial stability.

Each case is fact-specific, and outcomes can vary significantly depending on the individual circumstances.

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