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Private Family Department
National Legal Service supports people with privately funded family-law matters across England and Wales. We are experts in all types of family matters including divorce, financial arrangements and child arrangements.
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Family law advice that helps you move forward
A relationship breakdown or family dispute can affect many parts of life at once. You may be thinking about your children, home, finances or the practical arrangements that need to be made next. If there are substantial assets, a business, pensions or property to consider, it can be particularly important to understand the financial issues before making decisions.
Discussions about children can be equally difficult. You may need to agree where a child will live, how they will spend time with each parent or whether a proposed move abroad is possible. For some couples, the focus is on planning ahead through a nuptial or cohabitation agreement that records financial intentions clearly.
NLS provides clear advice, careful representation and practical support for privately funded family-law matters. We can help you identify the issues that need to be addressed, explain the options available and prepare for the next stage. The right approach will depend on your circumstances, the information available and the matters that need to be resolved.
Whether you are separating, trying to make arrangements for your child or planning for the future, early advice can help you make informed decisions about what to do next.
Specialist areas
Child Arrangements
Clear guidance on where your child lives and time spent with parents or other people.
Cohabitation Agreements
Record arrangements for property, contributions, savings, debts and financial matters when living together as partners.
Consent Orders
Turn an agreed arrangement into a court-approved order covering property, pensions, maintenance and financial matters.
Divorce & Annulment
Understand financial issues that may arise during divorce and consider the next steps available afterwards.
Financial Remedy Orders
Understand court options where financial agreement cannot be reached after divorce or civil partnership dissolution.
Financial Settlements
Consider how property, pensions, savings, income and other financial matters may be resolved after divorce.
International Child Relocation
Understand the issues when an international move could affect your child’s home, relationships and future.
Oaths & Certifications
Arrange formal witnessing, sworn declarations or document certification, with clear preparation before your appointment.
Pension Sharing Orders
Consider pension sharing alongside property, income and financial arrangements following divorce or civil partnership dissolution.
Prenuptial Agreements
Discuss finances, property and future plans before or during marriage or civil partnership, with clarity.
Prohibited Steps Order
Address concerns about important decisions affecting your child before action is taken without your agreement.
Property Disputes
Understand property ownership, financial contributions and options available when unmarried couples separate and cannot agree.
Protecting Inheritance in Divorce
Understand how inherited property, savings or family assets may affect financial arrangements during divorce proceedings.
Protecting Wealth in Divorce
Take a considered approach to property, investments, businesses, pensions and other assets during divorce proceedings.
Specific Issue Order
Get clarity when a question about your child’s education, healthcare or future cannot be agreed.
Support tailored to the issues that matter to you
Protecting finances and assets
Financial arrangements after separation can involve a wide range of assets, income and liabilities. If your circumstances include a family home, pension, savings, investments, a business or other complex financial issues, it is important to understand what may need to be considered.
NLS can explain the financial issues that may arise during divorce and help you consider the options available.
Making arrangements for children
Children benefit from arrangements that are practical, clear and focused on their welfare. Where parents or carers are finding it difficult to agree, legal advice can help clarify the issues and the possible next steps.
National Legal Service can support clients who need advice about child arrangements, including where one parent is considering an international move with a child.
Planning ahead
Discussing a nuptial or cohabitation agreement can be a constructive way to address financial arrangements openly. These agreements may cover matters such as property, savings, household contributions and what should happen if circumstances change or a relationship ends.
NLS can help you understand the purpose of an agreement and the issues that may be relevant to your situation.
Clear advice for complex family circumstances
Some family-law matters involve more than one issue. Separation can raise questions about a family home, savings, pensions, investments, business interests or arrangements made during a relationship. Where circumstances are more complex, it can help to take a clear view of the information available and the decisions that may need to be made.
National Legal Service can help you understand the issues involved, consider the options that may be available and work towards a clear plan for your circumstances. This may include support with high-net-worth divorce, financial settlements, nuptial agreements or cohabitation agreements.
Practical support when children are involved
When parents separate, decisions about a child can be among the most important and sensitive issues to resolve. You may need to discuss where your child will live, how they will spend time with each parent or other important people, and how day-to-day arrangements will work.
NLS can help you focus on practical arrangements for your child and understand the options for reaching an agreement. If agreement is not possible, NLS can explain the legal process and the next steps available to you.
Shabana Sultana - Head of Private Family Law
Shabana is a highly experienced family lawyer with 27 years’ experience advising clients on financial remedy proceedings and children disputes. She is particularly recognised for acting in high-value divorce cases involving family business assets, inherited wealth in marriage, third party family assets and trusts, pensions, property portfolios, farming interests and assets held internationally. She regularly advises business owners, company directors, professionals and individuals seeking to protect pre-marital wealth, inheritance and family-owned assets. Her approach is strategic, practical and result focused whilst working with accountants, pension experts and valuers to ensure assets are properly identified, valued and her client’s interests protected.
News & Insights
International divorce: What happens when one of you lives abroad?
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Private Family Law FAQs
- What does a private family law solicitor do?
A private family law solicitor can provide advice and representation in relation to family-law matters. This can include divorce, financial arrangements, child arrangements and agreements for couples.
- Can NLS help with divorce and financial arrangements?
Yes. National Legal Service supports clients with high-net-worth divorce and financial settlements. This can include matters involving property, pensions, savings, investments, business interests, debts and other assets.
- Can NLS help with arrangements for children?
Yes. NLS supports clients who need advice about child arrangements, including questions about where a child lives, time spent with each parent and proposed international relocation.
- Can NLS help with nuptial and cohabitation agreements?
Yes. National Legal Service supports clients considering nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. These can help couples discuss financial arrangements and future plans.
National Legal Service supports clients across England and Wales. London, Kent and Essex are priority regions for National Legal Service Private Law content and have dedicated regional pages.