Our legal team has extensive expertise in all areas of family law and is known for providing a personalised, responsive service to clients.
Partner Elizabeth Couch and Senior Associate Sarah Millar in Guernsey and partner Dionne Gilbert in Jersey will advise and guide you towards a fair and practical outcome in all legal aspects of divorce, children and finances. Our lawyers have many years' combined experience and are members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association). They are trained in collaborative law, mediation and arbitration.
Contact our family law team to find out how we can help you, telephone us on:
Guernsey: +44 (0) 1481 734228 | Jersey: +44 (0) 1534 601682
Or use the 'contact us' form.
Thank you for your message, we will be in touch as soon as possible.
We provide practical advice in plain English on all aspects of divorce and separation. We will guide you through the legal process as quickly, painlessly and cost effectively as possible.
Divorce - the basics
Grounds for divorce
Same sex marriage and divorce
Defended divorce
Flow chart of an undefended divorce
Alternatives to divorce
Ten practical tips for getting divorced
Common questions
When managing a divorce or separation, the welfare of the children is paramount. With this in mind, we will help you through the legal process with a sensitive and yet practical approach.
Child Law - the basics
Flow chart of applications relating to children
Different types of Court order
Family Proceedings Advisory Service
International relocation
Child abduction and how to prevent it
Domestic abuse and violence
The Child, Youth & Community Tribunal
Grandparents' rights
Adoption
Common questions
Financial issues can be one of the more challenging aspects of divorce and separation. We provide robust, cost effective advice on the various options available to separating parties.
Options at a glance
Finances - the basics
Flow chart of a financial application
Different types of Court order
How the Court decides who gets what
Financial dispute resolution hearings
Alternatives to Court
Common questions
Judicial separations are unique to Guernsey and present a quick and cost effective way of securing an agreement in relation to children and finances. We will advise and guide you smoothly through the process.
There is no such thing as 'common law marriage', nor are there any specific rules relating to cohabitation. On separation, the issues can become complex requiring expert guidance.
On the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, either party or children may need protection. The law aims to provide immediate protection for those who need it, and if you find yourself in this position then it is essential that you act quickly. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.
While prenuptial agreements are not legally binding, they are becoming an increasingly common feature of modern-day marriage. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.
In an ever-shrinking world, disputes involving international family law are becoming more and more common. We offer specialist legal advice in this area.
Changing your name in Guernsey is relatively straightforward but usually requires a brief Court attendance. We can guide you smoothly through the process.
A recent study by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has found that the number of cohabiting couples in England and Wales is rising, with around 3.6 million...
In times of ever-increasing property prices, parental contributions towards house purchases are becoming increasingly common. According to recent research by Legal &...
This article was first published in Aurigny's inflight magazine, En Voyage, in October 2022. Click here to view the publication, this article is on page 75. As Covid...
This article was originally published in issue 24 of En Voyage magazine. Click here to view the publication in full - see page 101. What's in a name? There are many reasons...
No Fault Divorce – Matrimonial Causes (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2022 The States of Guernsey has published legislation introducing what is commonly known as "no fault...
'My husband has left and taken the dog and boy do I miss her …' With apologies to Les Dawson, the issue of who gets the dog/cat/horse on divorce is perhaps more common than...
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Firstly it was Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, then it was Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott and now Bill Gates and his wife Melinda...
AbductionThe wrongful removal of a child from the parent with care without their permission. AdoptionAn application to Court for the official transfer of all parental...
Basic requirements All divorce proceedings in Guernsey are dealt with in the Royal Court. Divorce proceedings can be issued in Guernsey if either party to the marriage...
There is only one ground for divorce, that is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The Court cannot hold that a marriage has irretrievably broken down unless the...
Defended divorce proceedings occur when a divorce petition is issued, and either the respondent does not accept that the marriage has broken down irretrievably or does not...
Flow chart of an undefended divorce
1 Petitioner signs divorcen petition. Petitioner sends divorce papers to Court and sends copy to respondent and co-respondent (adultery petitions only). 2 Within 14...
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