Divorce & Family Law Solicitors in Hammersmith
At Hubbard Pegman & Whitney, our experienced divorce and family law solicitors in Hammersmith provide clear, compassionate legal advice to individuals and families across West London.
Family law matters can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. Whether you are considering divorce, separating from a partner, or making arrangements for your children, it is important to have trusted legal support throughout the process. Our solicitors take the time to understand your personal circumstances and provide practical advice tailored to your situation.
We regularly assist clients across Hammersmith, Fulham, Chiswick, Shepherd’s Bush and the wider London area, helping them navigate difficult family situations with professionalism and care. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome while minimising conflict wherever possible.
Family law covers a wide range of legal issues affecting relationships, children, and finances. Our team can advise and represent you in matters including:
We understand that seeking advice from a family solicitor often comes at a stressful time in your life. Our approach is supportive and transparent — we explain the legal process clearly, help you understand your options, and guide you through each stage with confidence.
If you are looking for an experienced divorce solicitor in Hammersmith, our team is here to provide the support and guidance you need to move forward.
Speak to a Divorce Solicitor in Hammersmith
If you need advice about divorce, child arrangements or financial settlements, the experienced team at Hubbard Pegman & Whitney can help.
Call our Hammersmith office on 0208 735 9770, send an email to info@hpwsolicitors.co.uk, or fill in the contact form to arrange a consultation with one of our family law solicitors.
How Our Family Solicitors Can Help
Every family situation is different, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to family law. Our family solicitors work closely with clients to provide advice that reflects their individual needs, priorities, and long-term goals.
When relationships break down, there are often multiple legal and practical issues to address at the same time. These may include dividing assets, deciding living arrangements for children, or determining financial support between spouses. Without proper legal guidance, navigating these issues can feel overwhelming.
Our role is to help simplify the process and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
We can assist you by:
- Explaining the legal process involved in divorce or separation
- Advising on financial settlements and the division of assets
- Helping you make arrangements for your children
- Negotiating agreements between you and your former partner
- Representing you in court where disputes cannot be resolved
Where possible, we encourage constructive discussion and negotiation between parties in order to reach amicable agreements. This approach can often reduce emotional stress, legal costs, and delays.
However, we also recognise that some situations require firmer legal action. If agreement cannot be reached, our solicitors are experienced in representing clients in family court proceedings and will work diligently to protect your position.
At every stage, we aim to provide clear advice so that you remain fully informed and in control of the decisions affecting your future.
Divorce Solicitors in Hammersmith
Divorce can be one of the most significant and emotionally difficult experiences a person goes through. Alongside the emotional impact, there are important legal and financial matters that must be resolved before a divorce can be finalised.
At Hubbard Pegman & Whitney, our divorce solicitors in Hammersmith guide clients through the entire divorce process with clarity and professionalism.
Under current law in England and Wales, couples can apply for a no-fault divorce, meaning that neither party is required to assign blame for the breakdown of the marriage. While this has simplified the legal process, there are still important decisions that must be addressed, particularly in relation to finances and children.
When going through a divorce, you may need to consider issues such as:
- The future of the family home
- The division of savings and investments
- Pension sharing arrangements
- Spousal maintenance
- Financial provision for children
Resolving these matters requires careful consideration of both legal principles and practical realities. Our solicitors provide straightforward advice to help you understand what a fair settlement may look like and how best to achieve it.
In many cases, financial matters can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Where agreement is reached, we can help formalise the arrangement through a legally binding consent order approved by the court.
If disputes arise and agreement cannot be reached, it may be necessary for the court to determine how assets should be divided. Our experienced family solicitors can represent you throughout the court process and ensure that your case is presented clearly and effectively.
Although divorce can be a challenging period, the right legal support can make a significant difference. Our aim is to help you resolve matters as efficiently and fairly as possible so that you can move forward with confidence.
Children & Parenting Arrangements
For many parents, the most important concern during a separation or divorce is ensuring the wellbeing of their children.
When a relationship breaks down, parents must decide how their children will be cared for in the future. This includes determining where the children will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, and how important decisions about their upbringing will be made.
Our family law solicitors in Hammersmith help parents create practical arrangements that prioritise the best interests of the children involved.
These arrangements may address matters such as:
- Which parent the child will live with
- Contact arrangements with the other parent
- Holiday schedules and special occasions
- Schooling and education decisions
- Medical treatment and other important welfare issues
Where possible, we encourage parents to reach an agreement through discussion or mediation. Cooperative arrangements are often less stressful for children and can provide a more stable long-term solution for families.
However, when parents are unable to reach an agreement, the court may need to intervene. In these situations, the court can make legally binding decisions through Child Arrangements Orders or other family court orders.
Our solicitors can advise you on your options, represent you during negotiations, and assist with court applications where necessary. We work to ensure that your child’s wellbeing remains the central focus of any legal arrangements.
Separating parents often face uncertainty about their rights and responsibilities. By seeking early legal advice, you can gain clarity about the options available and take steps to establish arrangements that support both your child’s stability and your own peace of mind.
Financial Settlements in Divorce
One of the most important aspects of any divorce is reaching a fair financial settlement. When a marriage ends, couples must decide how their shared assets and financial responsibilities will be divided. This process can be complex, particularly where there are significant assets, pensions, or business interests involved.
At Hubbard Pegman & Whitney, our divorce solicitors in Hammersmith provide clear advice on financial settlements to help ensure that the outcome is fair and sustainable for both parties.
Financial matters in divorce may include:
- The sale or transfer of the family home
- Division of savings and investments
- Pension sharing or pension offsetting
- Spousal maintenance
- Child maintenance
- Business or property assets
In England and Wales, there is no strict formula for dividing assets on divorce. Instead, the courts consider a number of factors when determining what constitutes a fair settlement. These may include the length of the marriage, the financial needs of each spouse, the welfare of any children, and the contributions made by both parties during the relationship.
Many couples are able to reach an agreement through negotiation or mediation. Where this happens, it is important that the agreement is formalised through a consent order, which is approved by the court and makes the financial arrangement legally binding.
Without a consent order, financial claims between spouses can remain open even after a divorce is finalised. Our family solicitors can help ensure that any agreement reached is properly documented and legally enforceable.
In cases where agreement cannot be reached, the court may need to determine how the finances should be divided. Our solicitors can represent you throughout this process and provide practical advice on how best to protect your financial interests.
Taking early legal advice can often help avoid unnecessary conflict and ensure that financial matters are resolved as efficiently as possible.
Prenuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
While many family law matters arise after relationships break down, it is also possible to take proactive steps to protect your financial position before or during a relationship.
Prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements are legal arrangements that allow couples to set out how finances and assets should be handled if the relationship ends in the future.
Our family law solicitors regularly assist clients across Hammersmith and West London in preparing these agreements.
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement (often called a prenup) is entered into before marriage. It sets out how assets, income, and property should be treated if the couple later divorces.
Although prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, the courts will generally uphold them where they have been entered into freely by both parties and meet certain legal requirements.
A well-prepared prenup can provide clarity and reduce the risk of disputes if a marriage later breaks down.
Post-Nuptial Agreements
A post-nuptial agreement works in a similar way to a prenup but is created after a couple has married. These agreements are often used where circumstances have changed, such as when one partner receives a significant inheritance or where couples wish to clarify their financial arrangements later in the marriage.
Cohabitation Agreements
Many couples choose to live together without getting married. However, there is currently no legal concept of “common law marriage” in England and Wales. This means that cohabiting partners may have limited rights if the relationship ends.
A cohabitation agreement allows couples to record how assets, property, and financial responsibilities should be managed during the relationship and what should happen if the couple separates.
Our solicitors can advise you on whether one of these agreements may be appropriate for your circumstances and help ensure that the document is drafted correctly.
Why Choose Hubbard Pegman & Whitney?
Clients across West London choose Hubbard Pegman & Whitney for family law advice because we combine legal expertise with a practical and compassionate approach.
- Experienced divorce and family law solicitors in Hammersmith
- Clear, straightforward legal advice
- Support through complex and sensitive situations
- Serving clients across Hammersmith and West London
When dealing with matters as important as divorce, children, and financial settlements, having the right legal support can make a significant difference.
Speak to Our Family Law Solicitors
If you need legal advice on divorce, child arrangements, financial settlements, or any other family law matter, the experienced team at Hubbard Pegman & Whitney is here to help.
Our office is located just a short walk from Hammersmith Station, making it easily accessible for clients across Hammersmith and the wider West London area.
We regularly assist clients in:
- Hammersmith
- Fulham
- Chiswick
- Shepherd’s Bush
- Kensington
- Acton
- Ealing
- and throughout West London.
Our family law solicitors provide clear, practical advice and will guide you through the legal process with professionalism and care.
To speak with a member of our team, you can call our Hammersmith office on 0208 735 9770, email info@hpwsolicitors.co.uk, or use our online contact form to request a consultation.
Family Law FAQs
Where do I begin with my divorce?
Before applying for a divorce in England and Wales, you must have been married for at least one year. You must also confirm that the marriage has permanently broken down.
If you are unsure whether you meet the legal requirements or would like guidance on the process, one of our divorce solicitors in Hammersmith can advise you on the next steps.
Can I apply for divorce online?
Yes. Divorce applications are now submitted online through the court system. You can apply individually or jointly with your spouse.
Although the application process itself is relatively straightforward, it is still important to seek legal advice regarding financial matters and arrangements for children.
How long does a divorce take?
Under the current no-fault divorce system, the process includes mandatory waiting periods designed to give couples time to consider their decision.
In most cases, the divorce process takes at least six to seven months from the date of the application to the final order. Financial matters may take longer if negotiations or court proceedings are required.
How are assets divided during a divorce?
There is no fixed rule for dividing assets on divorce. The courts consider a number of factors when deciding what constitutes a fair financial settlement, including the needs of both spouses and the welfare of any children.
Our divorce solicitors in Hammersmith can help you understand how these principles may apply to your situation.
Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?
It is possible to apply for divorce without a solicitor. However, many people choose to seek legal advice to ensure that financial matters and arrangements for children are properly addressed.
A divorce solicitor can help you understand your rights, negotiate financial settlements, and ensure that any agreements are legally binding.
Do I need to go to court during a divorce?
Many divorces are resolved without the need for a contested court hearing. If couples are able to agree on financial arrangements and child matters, the court’s involvement may be limited to approving a consent order.
However, if disputes arise that cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, it may be necessary for the court to make a decision.
How does divorce affect children?
When parents separate, arrangements must be made for the care and upbringing of their children. These arrangements can be agreed privately between parents or, where necessary, determined by the court.
The court’s primary consideration will always be the best interests of the child.
Do I need to pay child maintenance?
If your child primarily lives with the other parent, you will usually be expected to contribute financially towards their upbringing. Child maintenance payments are often calculated through the Child Maintenance Service, although parents may also agree on their own arrangements.
Should I update my Will after a divorce?
Marriage and divorce can significantly affect how your estate is distributed after your death. It is usually advisable to review or update your Will following a divorce to ensure that your wishes are properly reflected.
Our team can work closely with our probate department to assist with this if required.