Family Law Solicitors
LGBTQIA+ couples have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples to marry and raise children, but challenges remain. At Hodge Jones & Allen, our experienced lawyers understand the unique legal issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
Head of Family & Partner
Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors can offer you:
Whatever your circumstances, we’re here to support you with expert, confidential guidance every step of the way. Contact our team today to discuss your needs and find out how we can help you achieve the best outcome for you and your family.
If you’re part of the community and require legal advice, we are experts in LGBT marriage law and can provide you with guidance on a range of issues, from prenuptial agreements to divorce. We are also experienced in advising on all family law issues which affect members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including same-sex parenting, parental rights and family planning.
We offer clear, concise and personalised advice to help you achieve a successful outcome. Our LGBT family solicitors near you can draw on over 45 years of experience to offer tailored advice.
Please note we use the term ‘solicitor’ and ‘lawyer’ throughout interchangeably, as a term that refers to anyone in the United Kingdom that is licensed to practice law, provide legal advice, or represent clients in court.
Many different circumstances can lead to the breakdown of a marriage or relationship. It may be that one of you is leaving behind a heterosexual relationship. Or you may be in an LGBT marriage and considering divorce.
Whatever your situation, we understand that each situation is unique. Our team of leading family solicitors in London are renowned for providing compassionate support when dealing with relationship breakdown and divorce. We know this can be a stressful time and will work closely with you to make sure the process is straightforward.
We appreciate that some couples enter into a civil partnership rather than LGBT marriage. Our family law team advise on all legal issues relating to civil partnerships. We can help you draft a pre-civil-partnership agreement, which protects your assets should the two of you separate in the future. We are also able to advise on wills or dealing with dissolution and its outcomes.
As well as pre-civil partnership agreements, our team can draft pre-nuptial agreements for our LGBT clients. Should you have property or investments from a previous marriage, for instance, we ensure your agreement protects your assets in the event of a divorce or dissolution. A prenup can also set out who is responsible for any debts or other financial commitments if you and your partner separate.
Settling assets and separating finances when any marriage or partnership ends can be one of the most significant and time-consuming stages of a divorce or separation. This is true for any couple, regardless of gender.
There are different ways to reach a financial settlement in a divorce. Our team of LGBT solicitors lead with negotiations and round-table meetings, along with alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration. Whichever option you choose, our experienced family lawyers will work closely with you to help reach a financial settlement with minimal stress and expense.
Not all LGBTQIA+ couples who have been in long-term relationships have their partnership legally formalised. Our family law team can help you draw up a Cohabitation Agreement, which is similar to a premarital agreement in that it covers your rights around property and other assets. This agreement also includes information about what happens should you and your partner separate.
Same-sex parenting and parental rights are different to navigate. This is because there are several options for having children, from sperm donation to surrogacy, and we can assist our clients on their journey to growing their family.
We can also provide legal guidance for separating couples. In the event of divorce, it is always best if parents can reach an agreement on arrangements for their children on their own terms.
But we also know that this isn’t always possible. With the help of our skilled LGBTQIA+ family law solicitors, we can draft a parenting plan that centres your child. Mediation, arbitration and roundtable meetings can all be made available if necessary to ensure you and your ex-partner reach a suitable outcome.
As well as being a useful tool to help make arrangements for your children in the event of divorce, mediation can also facilitate discussions with your ex-partner. The goal is to make the best possible arrangements for separation despite the circumstances. Our family law solicitors in Liverpool and London know just how to make sure everyone is on the same page. We always work towards the fairest outcome.
If a parent wishes to relocate outside England and Wales, they will require the consent of all those who have parental responsibility for the child. If an agreement cannot be reached, the parent wishing to relocate will need to apply for the Court’s permission.
Our specialist family law solicitors have extensive experience in representing LGBTQIA+ parents seeking to relocate and parents opposing the relocation. We’re here to help you find answers and solutions, with a sensitive and personalised approach at all times.
Domestic violence affects people of all genders. It also affects children who are aware of or witness abusive behaviour. If you’d like to discuss legal protection for yourself and your children, our specialist domestic violence team will work with you in the strictest confidence to support you.
Call one of our team to discuss starting and financing your divorce application, your rights and how we can support you through this distressing time in your life.
Head of Family & Partner
“Vanessa Friend is the stand out partner in the team. She is exceptionally bright and knowledgeable. She secures fantastic results for her client. She is a very good negotiator and very personable.”
“The team is supportive and great across the board. They are known for their robust and strategic advice.”
Empathetic Experts
Whether you need advice from an LGBT divorce lawyer or want legal advice about same sex parental rights, our team of solicitors work closely with you to meet the needs of you and your family. We understand that there are difficulties that can impact same-sex couples and provide focused support.
High Ethical Standards
We’re regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and our LGBT lawyers are members of the Law Society and the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. We are reliable and accountable in all areas of legal representation we provide.
Trusted Service
We help clients across the country. Our family law team are widely appreciated for the service they provide – as evidenced by our ‘Excellent’ rating from well over 1,000 independent Trustpilot reviews.
Industry-Recognised
It’s not just our clients who acknowledge the work we do. We’ve also received approval from our peers, having been recognised as one of Chambers and Partners’ top-ranked firms and as a top-tier firm by the Legal 500.
Please note that we do not hold a Legal Aid contract and are therefore unable to provide Legal Aid services. All family matters are undertaken on a privately funded basis only.
“There is a lot of overlap when it comes to the law that applies to same-sex couples and heterosexual couples. However, there is also an ongoing need for equality, and there are aspects of the law that continue to have an adverse effect on LGBTQIA+ families. At Hodge Jones & Allen, we have a team who have worked with clients from the community, securing desirable outcomes for them and their families. Our personal approach and expertise ensure each LGBTQIA+ family is treated with respect and sensitivity.”
Vanessa Friend, Head of Family Team at Hodge Jones & Allen
Yes. Since the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, same-sex couples have the same legal right to marry as heterosexual couples. Before this, the only legally recognised union between same-sex couples was civil partnerships.
Same-sex marriage and civil partnerships are both legally recognised as unions between two people. Those who enter into a civil partnership have the same property rights as married couples and it’s also possible to apply for financial support should the partnership end.
Also, civil partnerships are legally governed in the same way as marriages. Therefore, if the couple are seeking to dissolve their partnership, it must have irretrievably broken down.
While both marriage and civil partnerships have the same legal rights and benefits, there are some differences:
If you are in a civil partnership and you both want to convert this into a marriage, you have two options:
Yes. Since the introduction of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, which became law in December 2005, adoption is open to individuals and couples regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. If you are a same-sex couple seeking adoption, you do not need to be in a civil partnership or married, but you will need to show that you are living together in an ongoing relationship. The process is the same for all prospective parents.
Parental rights depend on factors like marriage status, how the child was conceived, and legal parentage agreements. It’s crucial to seek legal advice to secure rights through parental orders or adoption if necessary.
Hodge Jones & Allen family solicitors have been recognised as one of Chambers and Partners‘ top firms. We’re also noted by the Legal 500 for our commitment to excellence. You can rest assured that our team are highly experienced in handling even the toughest family law cases.
Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors is proud of the many positive testimonials that we receive, reinforced by our ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot. Please read through what some of our clients have had to say about their experience with our legal teams.
