We provide expert legal advice in all areas of family law with almost 40 years’ worth of combined experience. Whilst our offices are based in Crawley, West Sussex, we routinely advise clients based across England and Wales.
At stevensdrake, we recognise that separation or divorce can be a challenging and emotional experience. Our dedicated team offers an initial, no obligation telephone call to discuss your situation and explain how we can support you through the process. We are also experts in dealing with all matters concerning child arrangements, whether that be to regulate the time spent with one parent (contact), with whom they live (residence) or where there are disputes about a potential relocation, whether abroad or within the UK on a permanent or temporary basis. We are also adept at advising on protective orders where necessary including Non Molestation Order and Occupation Orders, especially on an emergency basis where timing is critical.
Neutral Law
We are also one of a small number of firms in the country to be able to offer clients the opportunity to jointly instruct us (where it is deemed appropriate for them to do so) to deal with a divorce or separation through our Resolution Together trained lawyer, Kristy Underwood, which can result in significant legal fees being saved and a far more amicable experience, compared to proceeding down the conventional route.
Wealth Preservation
We can also advise on ways of protecting your assets before (or after) getting married/entering into a Civil Partnership or cohabiting with your partner. This can be through the preparation of pre or post nuptial agreements (for those intending to get married/enter into a Civil Partnership) or cohabitation agreement where the parties are unmarried. Such agreements can significantly increase the chance of you retaining any assets, property etc that are brought into the relationship, should things later break down and can also seek to protect assets which have not yet been realised including future inheritances.
Initial Discussion
For a no obligation, initial discussion about your circumstances, please contact our specialist team on 0129 3596959 or complete our enquiry form and one of our experienced lawyers will call you back, normally within a couple of hours.
Local Family Solicitors
Our family lawyers have extensive experience in guiding clients through every stage of the process. We make the law clear and straightforward, offering honest and practical advice you can rely on.
From the outset, we ensure you understand your options, likely costs and timescales, while working to ease as much of the stress and uncertainty as possible. Our team provides tailored advice based on your individual circumstances, offering guidance with care and reassurance.
You can count on us to be by your side throughout, supporting you at every step and helping you make confident, informed decisions about your future.
Avoiding Court Where Possible
Wherever possible, we seek to minimise the stress, cost and delay often associated with traditional court proceedings. Our approach focuses on constructive negotiation with your former partner/spouse, helping to keep matters amicable and costs proportionate.
By way of example, we can assist you in reaching agreements on:
In-Person & Remote Meetings Available
We can assist you no matter where you are based. Meetings can be arranged in person at our Crawley office or online via Zoom or Teams. Quite often we can accommodate same day or next day appointments where required.
Contact our team today to schedule an appointment.
Family Law Consultations
If, after speaking with us, you would like advice on your circumstances and your options, we offer an initial one-hour consultation with one of our experienced solicitors for just £130 (which includes VAT and the cost of our online ID and anti money laundering checks). This can take place by telephone, video call, or face-to-face and there is no obligation to instruct us thereafter.
If you are already in Court proceedings and/or you are already instructing solicitors elsewhere but would like a second opinion/are considering changing lawyers, we can agree a fixed fee for your first appointment to include a review of any key documents relating to your case, before we meet.
To receive tailored advice from our family law and divorce experts, simply call us on 01293 596959 or complete our enquiry form and one of our experienced lawyers will call you back.
Associate Director & Head Of Family Department
Kamal, a solicitor since 2015, joined stevensdrake in 2017 after working in the Family departments of two highly respected Legal 500 firms. He became Head of the Family Department in 2020 and Associate Director in 2022.
With over a decade of Family Law experience, he specialises in financial matters following relationship breakdowns, including both high-value and modest assets, wealth preservation, and child-related issues. He also prepares and reviews Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements.
Kamal prioritises amicable, cost-effective solutions, seeking to reduce the adversarial nature of disputes. A member of Resolution, he is a strong advocate of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, and draws on a wide professional network when needed.
Senior Associate, Chartered Litigator, and Mediator
Kristy joined stevensdrake in 2024 and has over 30 years’ experience advising and representing clients in family law. She specialises in financial, and children matters, with particular expertise in family businesses, pensions, and issues affecting Armed Forces, Teachers, and Police personnel.
Kristy is a qualified family mediator, accredited in civil & commercial and workplace mediation, and a Resolution Together Neutral Lawyer, able to advise both parties simultaneously to save time and costs.
She holds Family Law Accreditation through The Law Society, is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, and has extensive advocacy experience in family courts. Kristy also holds dual Chartered Legal Executive Litigator & Advocate qualifications and has been a longstanding member of Resolution, sitting on its Standards and Training & Learning Committees.
If you would like to speak to our team about your circumstances, please fill in your details and we will get back to you.
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