Hartwell & Co
Family Law Solicitor in London: One Person Handling Your Case, Not Three
If you're looking for a family law solicitor in London, you're probably dealing with a divorce, a separation, or a dispute over your children, and you want someone who will actually talk to you straight.
Most people who come to us have already been through another firm. They were handed from a solicitor to an assistant to a paralegal and back again, and nobody ever gave them a clear answer about what it would cost or how long it would take. At Hartwell & Co in Islington, you deal with one solicitor throughout, and you get a written estimate before we do any work.
Divorce and Separation in London: How We Work With You
When a marriage or civil partnership breaks down, the legal process itself is often simpler than people expect. What makes it hard is everything around it: the finances, the children, the fear of getting it wrong. We start with a conversation, usually 30 to 45 minutes, where we listen to what's actually happened and what you want to achieve, not just what forms need filing.
From there we tell you honestly whether your case is straightforward or likely to be contested. A no-fault divorce where both people agree is usually quicker and cheaper to handle than one where finances or children are disputed. We'll say which category yours falls into early on, because that changes both the cost and the timeline, and you deserve to know that before you commit to anything.
We also handle separation agreements for couples who aren't ready to divorce, or who never married. These set out arrangements for finances, property use, and children in writing, so you're not relying on a verbal understanding that can fall apart later.
Child Arrangements and Custody Disputes
Disputes over where children live, who they spend time with, and how decisions get made are usually the most stressful part of a separation. We work on child arrangements orders, and we're direct about this: court is the last option, not the first. Most arrangements can be agreed through solicitor-led negotiation or mediation, which is faster and less damaging for the children involved.
If agreement isn't possible and the matter goes to court, we prepare the application, the statements, and represent you at hearings. We won't tell you court is quick — in London it usually isn't — but we will tell you honestly at each stage what's realistic and what isn't.
We also deal with child maintenance disputes where the Child Maintenance Service calculation is being challenged or ignored, and with parental responsibility matters for unmarried fathers or step-parents who need legal standing in their child's life.
Financial Settlements and Dividing Matrimonial Assets
Splitting finances on divorce covers pensions, savings, business interests, and the family home — as an asset to be divided between you, not the property transfer itself, which your conveyancer handles separately. We prepare full financial disclosure, negotiate a settlement, and where needed apply for a consent order so the agreement is legally binding and enforceable.
A common mistake we see is couples agreeing verbally on who keeps what, then discovering years later that without a court order, either party could still make a financial claim. We make sure whatever you agree is put into a document that actually protects you both.
Where your case can't be fixed-fee — usually when assets are complex or one party won't disclose properly — we tell you the likely range and exactly why, rather than leaving you with an open hourly clock and no idea what the final bill will look like.
Domestic Abuse Injunctions: Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders
If you or your children are at risk, this is usually the most urgent work we do. Non-molestation orders stop someone from threatening or contacting you; occupation orders can remove someone from the family home, or set out who lives where while things are resolved. These applications can often be made without notice to the other party where there's genuine urgency.
We move quickly here — this isn't work that waits for a scheduled appointment. If you call us about this, we prioritise getting the right paperwork in front of a court as fast as possible, and we'll be clear with you about what evidence helps and what the court will expect to see.
Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Disputes
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements aren't just for the wealthy. We draft them for couples in London who want clarity going into a marriage — often because one person is bringing a business, an inheritance, or property into the relationship and wants to protect it, while being fair about what's shared going forward.
For unmarried couples, the law works differently, and it surprises people how little automatic protection cohabiting partners have compared to married couples. We handle disputes over shared finances, contributions to a jointly used property, and cohabitation agreements that set expectations before problems start, or resolve them once a relationship has ended.
Why Choose Hartwell & Co for Family Law in London
One solicitor, start to finish
You won't be passed between three different people. The solicitor you first speak to is the one who handles your case throughout.
A written estimate before we start
You'll know the cost, or the likely range and why, before any work begins — no open-ended hourly billing with no explanation.
Fixed fees wherever the case allows
Many family law matters in London can be quoted as a fixed fee. Where they can't, we explain exactly what's driving the range.
Based in Islington, working across London
A small, four-person team means less overhead and more direct contact with the person actually working on your case.
Frequently asked questions about family law
Why do so many people come to you after using another family law solicitor in London?
Usually because they were passed between different people at their old firm and never got a straight answer on cost. We give you one point of contact and a written estimate before we start, which is often the thing people say they wished they'd had the first time round.
How much does a family law solicitor in London cost?
It depends on the type of case. Divorce and separation agreements can often be fixed-fee. Contested financial settlements or child arrangements disputes are harder to fix in advance, so we'll give you a realistic range and explain what affects it before you commit to anything.
How long does a divorce take in London?
An uncontested divorce where both parties agree usually moves faster than one involving disputed finances or children. We'll tell you early on which category your case falls into, because that's what actually determines the timeline.
Do I need a solicitor if my ex and I already agree on everything?
You can still benefit from having the agreement put into a legally binding document, particularly for finances. A verbal or informal agreement doesn't stop either person making a financial claim later — a consent order does.
Can you help urgently if I need a non-molestation or occupation order?
Yes. These applications can be time-sensitive, and where there's genuine urgency they can sometimes be made without notifying the other party first. Call us and we'll move as quickly as the situation needs.
Do you handle cases for unmarried couples separating?
Yes, cohabitation disputes are a regular part of our family law work. The legal protections are different from marriage, so it's worth getting advice early, particularly where property or shared finances are involved.