If you are setting up home together, but not getting married, you should strongly consider a Deed of Trust.

New house; new life together. Buying a home with somebody – whether it’s s friend or a partner – is exciting. But what happens if you split up? The processes that automatically protect married people who divorce do not apply to co-habitees – no matter how long you’ve been together. A Deed of Trust can prevent a heartbreak from turning into a financial disaster.

And it’s not just the people in the relationship who are at risk. If you’re a parent who’s helping your son or daughter with a house purchase, we can help you protect your share of the deal.

  • We can help with a Deed of Trust to protect your share of the house
  • We can arrange a living together/cohabitation agreement
  • Your Deed of Trust can be converted to a prenuptial agreement if you marry later

Deeds of Trust – What you need to know…

What is a Deed of Trust?

Simply put a Deed of Trust is a legal document that states the ownership of a jointly-held property.

Who needs a Deed of Trust?

  • If you are buying a property with anybody you are not married to then get a Deed of Trust.
  • If you’ve already bought a property with somebody you are not married to then get a Deed of Trust. It’s not too late.

Unmarried couples who buy property together often avoid unpleasant questions about what will happen if they split up, but it is better to have that discussion now to avoid loss later on.

A Deed of Trust is an opportunity to be fair and considerate of each other’s investment whilst the going is good, later on things may have soured and there will be no such opportunity.

Deeds of Trust do not just protect the property buyers either, they protect anybody who has helped make the purchase possible. Typically this is parents of young first time buyers who would have a great interest in protecting their investment and preventing having to pick up the pieces later on.

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Buying a house is expensive, and people often see a Deed of Trust as another expense they could do without, but in actual fact it is an invaluable safety net. Conveyancing solicitors are mostly interested in getting the purchase through, so most won’t even mention the benefits of having a deed or trust.

A Deed of Trust mitigates risk

Who owns your home? This is the question.

If you’re married and you split up, it doesn’t matter, both parties have an equal claim regardless of who put money in.

If you’re not married you will need to have hard evidence of some sort of ownership, having contributed to the mortgage, paying all the bills or investments towards renovations will not count towards anything.

If the case goes to civil court there is an incredible amount of risk, since without any proof of ownership one would stand to lose their share of the property, and have to pay court fees as well as paying the winning party’s fees.

There is no such thing as common-law marriage, and in civil court there will be no consideration for discretion, fairness or sympathy that there would be in family law.

Considering the difficulty with getting together a deposit to buy a house, being asked to gamble that money would seem insane, but that is what often happens if there is no Deed of Trust; betting that the relationship will never fall apart and standing to lose your investment if it does.

Our lawyers know very well the uglier side of situations where people should have had a Deed of Trust but didn’t have. We also know how to ask the right questions about intention and what needs to be in a Deed of Trust. We won’t over-complicate what is actually a straightforward process, but which is too often overlooked.

Deeds Of Trust Oxford London St Albans. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London

Deeds of Trust – Key Points:

  • There is no such thing as a common law marriage
  • Do not rely on the conveyancing solicitor to deal with it
  • It will save you £££thousands if things go wrong…

How much is a deed of trust and how long does it take?

Drafting a Deed of Trust cost £2000 + VAT per property.

Creating a deed of trust for multiple properties at the same time will offer significant cost savings.

Under our single solicitor service we interview both parties separately for a fee of £120 each and then both parties together for a third meeting. This takes approximately three hours in total.

The costs of the interviews are then taken off of the drafting fee, serving as a deposit of sorts.

The entire process usually takes 2 – 4 weeks.

Talk to us about Deeds of Trust…

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Ella – Reading

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V.P. – London

“Discovering Family First has been a revelation. I have been in litigation for over 8 years, and had received poor service from two other solicitors. I’ve been a PAYG client with Family First for the last 6 years and it has served me extremely well – enabling my complex and protracted divorce litigation to be…

Jamahl – Oxford

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Joe – Oxfordshire

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Alison – Oxfordshire

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Kuang-Ting – Oxfordshire

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Penny – Whitney

“I have been using Family First’s Pay as you Go service right the way through, from thinking about issuing divorce proceedings, to going through to obtaining a financial agreement. From start to finish, the service has been excellent. I have had the right help, at the right time, and have felt completely supported. Henrietta has…

Michael – Oxfordshire

“Family First have provided brilliant legal support with my case. They have been accessible and informative throughout the process reducing the challenge of a difficult situation . I would highly recommend them to anyone in a position of need.”

D.D – London

“The only family solicitor you need! From the start, George and his legal assistant Maria were outstanding. He gave me reassurance throughout. We laughed together, analysed together, he was not only by my side, but genuinely believed in mine and my children’s case. There isn’t another solicitor I’d ever consider, or use. George was Professional,…

G.B – London

“Bruna has be absolutely amazing, helping me with everything. I felt like she cared throughout the whole process, I would definitely recommend Bruna. And if needed in the future will be using Bruna always!”

M.H. – Oxford

“I had a fantastic experience with Henrietta and the rest of the team at Family First Solicitors. I highly recommend them to anybody looking for an honest, trustworthy and reliable legal service. Henrietta guided me through the most difficult time of my life, providing a phenomenal level of service and helping me build a water-tight…

Rachel – London

“Many thanks to George Sayers at Family First Solicitors for an excellent work and result. The support, advice and guidance received before, during and after the court hearings were amazing. George was kind, patient and a good listener from the beginning to the end. I had a great experience and a successful court hearing. I…

Charlie – London

“Helpful and clear communicators, and very reasonable to deal with.”

Anna – Oxfordshire

“I just wanted to say how grateful I am to Family First for their support and valued advice, during a very prolonged and difficult time. Their professionalism and knowledge kept me going when I was ready to give up, for which I will be forever thankful.”

M.N – London

“Probably the best service I’ve ever experienced. Amazing, highly recommended.”

K.B. – Oxford

“I was having a difficult time with a consent order for a divorce and Ursula offered me affordable advice that made me feel supported and comfortable. I really appreciate all her help and would highly recommend Family First for affordable but professional advice.”

Natalie – Marcham

“I would highly recommend Family First Solicitors. I used them for quite a complex issue following a separation from my partner. Everything was conducted remotely as a result of me being over 150 miles away from their offices and on a ‘pay as you go’ basis. This worked brilliantly. It meant I didn’t rack up…

Carmen – London

“Just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication throughout this case, myself and my partner are both very grateful.”

Craig – Abingdon

“Very welcoming and appeared genuinly interest in my family concerns. I dealt with Ursula who was great in that she was direct in telling me what legal rights I have. I would definitely recommend Family First Solicitors.”

G.D – Oxford

“I owe Ursula and her team the biggest thank you. Not only have they saved us money with their Pay-as-you-go service, but have been so caring, understanding and have made a truly stressful situation easier than I could have imagined. Ursula and Helen were organised and work professionally together whilst being down to earth (not…

T.S. – Oxfordshire

“Today I came away from court with more than what I ever imagined possible. From the first day I enquired until this afternoon, they couldn’t have been any better. So sincere and genuine in their advice and approach. I really can’t recommend or thank them enough.”

Bhawana – Oxford

“Ursula was amazing from start to finish. She was very humane and professional. Gave me excellent clarity and advise. Unlike other law firms she did not advise unnecessary things which would add legal costs, in-fact she simplified issues and made the whole process concise and relevant, keeping costs down where possible. Ursula came to my…

Miranda – Oxford

“I would like to thank you so much for putting me in touch with Bruna. She was an absolute Godsend to me during a very difficult and stressful time. What I liked so much about working with Bruna was her understanding of the emotions that come up for parents when going through child arrangements. The…

Jade – Oxfordshire

“Bruna offered me advice before my first family court hearing and this helped me to write a successful position statement and proposal. She was really attentive to the details I was giving her and advised me well. I felt as if she really heard me and understood the type of relationship I had with my…

J – Oxford

“A great big thank you for all your help to date. You have always been a pleasure to deal with and I’ve really appreciated your no-nonsense personable approach that has also championed my ability to do much of this myself and as a side effect has really helped raise my post-divorce confidence. I have and…

Rob – London

“While arranging a post-nuptial agreement, they were extremely patient as my partner went through two less-than-stellar solicitors. Keeping track over where we were over the many months it took was really helpful. Thank you!”

Mrs A.B., Oxfordshire

“I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with me and supporting me during the hardest part of life. You have supported me to make me mentally strong and given me great professional advice.”

Sally – London

“I was really apprehensive about what the service would be like. George Sayer was very helpful and gave me all the answers I needed to feel comfortable in what my next steps needed to be. I would highly recommend anyone get in touch for a fast, cost effective and reliable service.”

Deji – Oxfordshire

“Great advice especially for someone who is self representing.”

E.B. – Oxford

“The team are amazing – I can’t recommend them highly enough. They provided me with amazing value for money, support and advice at a time when I needed it the most. Although I hope to never need their help again, if I did, Family First would be my first port of call.”

Nikki – London

“First time using these solicitors, was very impressed with a quick appointment and great advice. I have been instructed well and felt I was listened to. Will definitely recommend and use again.”

Yeta – London

“I wish we’d known about Family First years ago when my partner’s abusive spouse started hassling her for divorce. Even though mediation wasn’t working we were put off going to court because we thought she either had to go it alone in court against her ex (who could afford a solicitor) or spend more money…

Steve – Oxford

“Family First Solicitors were outstanding. Following negative experiences with other solicitor firms, having Ursula’s compassionate, clear, and consistent advice was a huge relief. We decided to use the ‘pay as you go’ system which meant that we met with Ursula for explicit advice, but we did the leg work with regards to the paperwork. This…

Kelly – Abingdon

“I was having a difficult time with a consent order for a divorce and Ursula at Family First offered me affordable advice which helped me to feel supported and comfortable. Ursula helped advise as much as she could and did the best for me. I really appreciate all her help and would highly recommend Family…

Carla – Oxford

“Thank you very much for your help this morning and your understanding. We appreciate your advice. Thank you very much. I work as an interpreter and so I would definitely recommend you when families are looking for legal assistance.”

Stuart – London

“I felt that the solicitor made a very thorough assessment of my tricky situation and went above and beyond what I expected to give me some good, carefully considered advice. On top of that he seemed like a really nice guy.”

Santa – London

“I went through terrible time in my life but the Family First solicitors were so friendly and understanding, they were the best I could possibly have after I had spoken to so many solicitors who were just after a money and didn’t care about their clients. I can’t thank you guys enough, I will be…

H.T. – London

“George was amazing. He managed to fit me in at short notice and was very patient. He explained things clearly – making sure I understood everything thoroughly throughout the case. He was very supportive around the court date and time too. Thank you George and Ursula. Now I finally feel free and have got the…

Christopher – Reading

“Amazing service and friendly people, helping me all the way through the process of helping me to see my son.”

Claire – London

“I am so grateful to find such an understanding and efficient firm to take on my case . From start to finish I felt totally supported practically and emotionally. It has been a difficult road for me and my family to get to the end result we needed . All of the team at Family…

Barbara – Abingdon

“An excellent firm to deal with. Professional, friendly, warm and caring at a stressful time of going through a divorce. Was put at ease immediately upon meeting them. Any queries whether by phone or email were answered quickly in plain English without jargon. Pay as you go meant no large bill at the end. Must…

L.K – London

“After an experience with a solicitor that felt as though they didn’t have my back George was a breath of fresh air. Mine was a domestic abuse and property issue so emotions were high, George dealt with things professionally, outlined the options and advised the pros and cons of each situation. He was successful with…

Alex – Reading

“I received advice from Family First Solicitors on a family related litigation and had the best experience ever (in particular compared to a few solicitors from other practices over the last year). Their professionalism, communication and advice have been unparalleled. They have been highly efficient and straight to the point during the consultations, absolute pleasure…

Michael – Oxfordshire

“I had a fantastic experience with Henrietta Pote and the rest of the team at Family First Solicitors and would highly recommend them to anybody looking for an honest, trustworthy and reliable legal service. Henrietta guided me through the most difficult time of my life, providing a phenomenal level of service and helping me build…

Zhenya – Oxford

“I am forever grateful for all the help and support I have received from Ursula – she is very knowledgeable, very professional and very supportive. I don’t know how long my divorce would’ve dragged on if it wasn’t for Family First. Prices are very reasonable and services worth every penny. Initial meeting was £60 and…

Sofia – Abingdon

“I am so grateful to this team, and especially to Ursula, that I don’t even know where to begin. Ursula is so knowledgeable and grounded. I absolutely admire the bones out of her. When she took on my case, I had been financially and emotionally drained by a previous solicitor, who seemed more concerned on…

Samuel Jeffreys – London

“I am writing this review to express my gratitude to George for his amazing service during a very challenging time for myself and my family. He was supportive, reassuring and helpful throughout. He was very thorough and did an outstanding job before and during the court hearing. We couldn’t have asked for a better solicitor.…

Tracy – Reading

“I used Family First for family law for a divorce. I used the pay as you go service and would highly recommend it. Yes, it did mean I did the communication myself and took up a lot of my time. However, this meant that I always knew what was going on and I had a…

Ian – Oxfordshire

“I cannot thank Ursula enough for her exemplary service and advice throughout! I had previously used two different Firms for my Divorce proceedings. First resulted in me getting a decree absolute without knowing it was coming and without having sorted Children’s Arrangements or Financial matters. The second resulted in me haemorrhaging money and getting absolutely…

Gaynor – Oxford

“We had Family First represent us in family court at a very stressful time. They proved to be very knowledgable and professional in getting matters concluded. I would highly recommend.”

K.E. – London

“I want to say a massive thank you for making this so pain-free. I know it wasn’t the most complicated of divorce settlements, but it’s still a massive relief to have it all done and dusted so quickly and without any undue stress or unforeseen costs. Thank you so much.” K.E.

A.A. Oxford

“I can highly recommend Ursula Rice, who was such a friendly and understanding solicitor throughout my divorce proceedings. I always had a prompt response to queries and was kept up to date. I could not have chosen a better solicitor who understood the needs of myself and my children through a difficult time.”

Ms L, London

“Thank you for how fantastic and supportive you were with me on a personal level. You were the firm-but-fair reality check I needed at a very wobbly time. Without you I would never have got my act together and be in the (beautiful!) place I am now. My partner and I have found a way…

Sandra – Oxford

“Family First gave professional services during the legal charge on my property. I immediately felt secure in their knowledge and experience. They were prompt, efficient, friendly, non-judgemental, organised and much more. I was given a breakdown of all costs and kept informed as time went on. I really appreciated their goodwill gestures too. I would…

Christina – Oxford

“I received Very good customer service and excellent, honest advice. They made it clear that they genuinely cared about my case and tried to keep my costs down wherever possible as well which is rare! My case was complicated as it was half way through with previous representation that didn’t work out well. I was…

L.C – London

“My solicitor did an amazing job with helping me with my court case that I and and ex partner were going through. They were always there to contact via email or phone and really helped me feel confident. They also recommended an amazing counsel during our second court case who again was great and helped…

L.K. – Oxford

“Very practical, helpful and understanding – I felt a huge sense of relief after speaking to them – £120 well spent.”

S.F – Oxfordshire

“I want to thank you for all your hard work and support during my long painful divorce proceedings. It wasn’t an easy journey. But I’m grateful for everything. I’m so happy now to be free to get on with the rest of my life as are my children. I wish you all the best.”

C.S. – London

“Fantastic! Very caring and compassionate, the pay-as-you-go service is excellent. The advice I have received has been spot on and has helped me get through this difficult process. I have recommended them to friends that are having similar difficulties.”

Ms A – Divorce in Oxford

“I want to thank George Sayers for the support he provided during what turned out to be a particularly difficult and lengthy case. Throughout the process, George maintained excellent communication and offered clear, thoughtful guidance every step of the way. He worked tirelessly to make things as smooth as possible, even in challenging circumstances, and…

E.G. – Oxford

“Family First guided me through the hardest time in my life and rescued me at short notice more than once! They are so helpful – I couldn’t have got through it all without their help. They understood where I was coming from and actually listened to me. If I ever need advice and help again…

Vanessa – London

“I have been in litigation for over 8 years. Previously I had not received good service with 2 other solicitors and found myself in a wholly unsatisfactory position. Discovering Family First has been a revelation. I’ve been a PAYG client for the last 6 years. It has served me extremely well and enabled my complex…

Bryan – Oxford

“Bruna was magnificent from start to finish of my case, being there every step of the way, helping me feel supported through such a difficult time. With a no nonsense, concise, honest, yet warm approach, Bruna will leave you in no doubt as to where you stand and will work together with you to achieve…

Sacha – Oxford

“Ursula exceeded any expectations I had and allayed any fears I had.”

CC – Oxford

“I would personally like to thank you for your time, swift professional advice and your open and honest approach to my situation and would not hesitate to recommend your company.”

J.M – London

“Would like to thank Henrietta, Maria and Carman for all their help throughout my case involving my daughter. From start to finish I felt reassured and at ease with the process and felt understood. Both myself and my partner are extremely great full for your time and patience which led us to the outcome he…

Ona – Botley, Oxfordshire

“I would highly recommend Family First. Great service and very professional and at the same time very understanding and caring. Thank you for all your help, assistance and guidance, very much appreciated. All the best!”

A.Q. – London

“Ursula Rice at Family First is one amazing lady! Thanks to her, my divorce and settlement was sorted within a year, having previously had three other solicitors rip me off over nine years. I cant thank her enough – she is so down-to-earth and offered me the best advice possible. The solicitors I previously used…

S.A – Oxfordshire

“I had previously represented myself in court, which caused me a lot of stress and anxiety. Then I was recommended to Family First by a friend and they took on my case. They were upfront and honest with me, and able to explain things in a way that I could understand and answered all of…

J.P. – London

“Family First Solicitors have been very professional and helpful with my case and situation. They are knowledgeable, professional, empathic, friendly and most of all genuine. You get good value here including updates about where your money is going, and they always ask if you’re happy with the next move before they proceed. I would recommend…

Shahriar – London

“I had an extremely difficult situation but Family First Solicitors and their paralegal team helped me throughout with their professional, warm and friendly approach. They are excellent in family law and very kind, humble and friendly which makes everything easier!”

Penny – Oxford

“I have been using Family First’s “Pay as you Go” service right the way through, from thinking about issuing divorce proceedings, to going through to obtaining a financial agreement. From start to finish, the service has been excellent. I have had the right help, at the right time, and have felt completely supported. Henrietta has…

B.D. – London

“Exceptional value for the services you receive. Can’t thank them enough for everything they did for me before, during and after my court hearing. Shame I can’t give more stars, they made it such an amazing experience for me.”

W.G – London

“Thank you so much for all your work on this. I really appreciate your kindness, efficiency and clarity.”

H.K. – Oxford

“I had an excellent experience with Family First Solicitors, they were absolutely amazing throughout. They listened to all of my concerns and answered all of my questions. I could not have gone through the family court process without their help, guidance and support. Thank you for a result which I didn’t think I could ever…

Felicity – Oxford

“I had the pleasure of completing a week of work experience at Family First. I can say with confidence that the team are so welcoming, kind and hard-working in delivering a high quality service to their clients. Working alongside Carmen, George, Ursula and Maria, you can really tell that Family First are a team of…

R.T – Oxford

“Grass roots advice. No nonsense definition of the law with realistic expectations.”

V.S. London

“Ursula gave sound, easy to understand & down to earth advice. 100% supportive, & suggested appropriate way to pay i.e. Pay-as-you-go, as minimal support needed”

Lee – Oxford

“This is the second time I have had to use Family First, having successfully obtained a court order giving me access to my daughter. A few years in and the relationship had broken down further, contact was getting less and more difficult, and eventually it stopped all together. I went back to Family First and…

Candida – Oxfordshire

“Big thank you to Ursula. If you choose Family First you will be in safe hands. Professional, patient, and realistic advice.”

R.J – London

“George and Ursula do a Facebook live clinic once a week and are knowledgeable, relaxed and approachable. They strive to keep those who ask questions anonymous and give excellent off the cuff advice reassuring many of us with their information and knowledge. Invaluable to know there is somebody out there to answer those questions that…

Natalie – Oxford

“I highly recommend Family First! Ursula Rice & Helen Grimbleby are completely amazing at what they do, they were passionate and dedicated to achieve the outcome that we did! I felt totally safe in their hands, they are professional, genuine and take the time to listen. Without their support it would not have been easy-…

Mr B, Oxford

“Great service and timely communications, written in a way that conveyed the points well, but didn’t cause alarm or stress. This is a refreshing change, having dealt with a much bigger law firm whose communications were stressful and badly written. Thank you for the speed with which you conducted my instructions. A great improvement compared…

Stuart – London

“I required help with my divorce proceedings and Family First were genuinely fantastic at helping with the whole process, advising on what was best for me and my family and the service couldn’t have been better. I have already recommended Family First Solicitors to several people in similar circumstances by word of mouth and wanted…

S.C. – London

“I went through terrible time in my life but Family First were so friendly and understanding. They were the best I could possibly have imagined, after having spoken to so many solicitors who were just after my money and didn’t care about me. I can’t thank you guys enough. I will be recommending Family First…

Tara – London

“Great service. I have used the set fee appointment and also pay by the hour Both were great value for money and Ursula was extremely helpful I would highly recommend.”

Stephen – Reading

“Brilliant service from the Family First team, they always dealt with any issues with my divorce in a very professional manner.”

Coffey – London

“I would like to thank Family First Solicitors for all their excellent help and advice over the course of a long drawn out and stressful divorce. The team always took time to explain things carefully and to explore all the various options available at different points in the process, while at the same time being…

Hannah – Oxford

“I had an excellent experience with using family first solicitors. My solicitor and was absolutely amazing throughout. She listened to all of my concerns and answered all of the questions I had. I could not have gone through the family court process without her help, guidance and support. Thank you for a result in which…

Andrew – Whitney

“Just like to say Ursula Rice at family first is one amazing lady! Thanks to her my divorce and settlement with her help was sorted within a year after having 3 other solicitors rip me off for 9 years previous. I cant thank her enough she is so down to earth and offered me the…

Sarah – Whitney

“Amazing! Ursula helped me so much, through the court process and helped me grasp everything. Any fears I had going into court were washed away and even when I panicked Ursula handled everything extremely well. Always kept me in the loop and explained clearly. In the end we got the result we wanted and couldn’t…

Y.S – London

“Just signed the documents. I thought I’d send you an email to thank you for your kind help as I feel like I have finally made some progress, and I wouldn’t be able to do this without you. Hopefully the court process goes smoothly. Much appreciated!”

G.L. – Oxford

“I would highly recommend Family First’s services. I’d met with two different solicitors regarding my matter and paid handsomely for the poor experience, before being recommended Family First. They were knowledgeable, clear, approachable and patient. Overall a far better service than anywhere else I’ve been – and cheaper.”

G.H. – London

“They represented me in family court at a very stressful time. They proved to be very knowledgable and professional in getting matters concluded. I would highly recommend Family Fist Solicitors.”

N.S. – London

“I used Family First Solicitors for a complex issue following a separation from my partner. Everything was conducted remotely on a ‘pay as you go’ basis, as I’m 150 miles away from their offices, and it worked brilliantly. It meant I didn’t rack up a huge legal bill and was able to access the advice…

R.B. – Haringey, London

“I have really appreciated the team’s work on my case. They have been very responsive and are always compassionate, thoughtful and respectful and I have always felt like they genuinely care about the outcome and understand what it would mean for me and the girls. I know so many people who have had excessive charges…

R.W. – Kidlington, Oxfordshire

“I visited Henrietta at Family First Solicitors following the breakdown of my marriage. I had little idea of how difficult and protracted the process would become and how much I would come to rely upon and value her excellent professional advice. From applying for the initial Decree Nisi to preparing for the court hearing, Henrietta…

Tania – London

“The team provided professional, supportive service at an affordable price when I was going through an emotionally difficult divorce settlement. I felt in safe hands, which helped reduce my level of anxiety while facing the most challenging situation of my life. Thank you!”

Rita – London

“I have no words to express my gratitude to George, thank you so much for being on my side. I will never forget what you done for me and for my family.”

Rupert – Oxford

“I visited Henrietta Pote, Legal Executive at Family First Solicitors, Oxford, following the breakdown of my marriage. I had little idea of how difficult and protracted the process would become and how much I would come to rely and value her excellent professional advice. Despite being a very short marriage (16 months) and there being…

Colin – Oxford

“Fantastic! Very caring and compassionate, the pay as you go service is excellent. The advice I have received has been spot on and has helped me get through this difficult process. I have recommended them to friends that are having similar difficulties.”

Joanne – Kidlington

“I had some amazing advice given at their 60 minute free session a few months ago. It really changed things and has made things so much better since and more importantly I feel safe and knowing I have the law on my side has really helped. Thanks again for your amazing work.”

Sarah – Oxfordshire

“It’s been a total joy with work with Henrietta through a really tough time. She has been clear, supportive, gentle and been happy to listen at all times. I have appreciated the pay as you go option as it’s allowed me to be in control of expenses and to get the exact support I need…

Jenny – Oxford

“I found the whole process very straightforward with Henrietta’s help, and will definitely recommend her should anyone I know need the help of a family solicitor in the future. We had our Civil Partnership Ceremony on the 12th May as planned and are both pleased the Pre-Nup Agreement we wanted was achieved, despite slight unavoidable…

Ali – Oxford

“Highly recommended. Ursula was fantastic and took her time to discuss my case with great patience and professionalism. I feel I had the most honest advice in what is a stressful time for most people, and she had my best interest in mind rather than the potential fees. Would definitely recommend this firm!”

Angela – Oxford

“This firm was recommended by a friend and this was the best recommendation I could have possibly obtained to help with my complex matter. Family First are deeply knowledgeable, efficient, prompt and profound. Their support in my children’s and financial cases cannot be praised enough. They quickly grasped the nuances of the matter, provided highly…

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without notice injunctions

Without Notice Injunctions

Without notice (or as lawyers call them ” ex parte ” ) injunctions are a court application for an order without telling the other side you are going to get…

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pets on divorce

Pets and divorce

Pets in a divorce can be a very emotive subject, read on to find out the legal position and some good ideas to help you stay with your faithful friend…

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Pay-As-You-Go Law with Family First Solicitors. Family Law Solicitors Oxford. Pay As You Go Divorce.

Paying Legal Fees

Paying legal fees is the single biggest worry for people who are thinking about getting advice. So how can you get the advice that you think you need?

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Moving Away with the kids

Moving away with the kids

One of the most difficult issues the family courts grapple with is called “internal relocation”. This covers cases where one parent is told by another parent the they are moving…

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Power to you, family first, solicitor, oxford and reading

My wishes and feelings…

If you have a court case about a child going on, you probably already know that “wishes and feelings” are part of the checklist of things a judge has to…

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preparing to not get bullied in family court

Prepare not to get bullied in court.

How to Prepare for Family Court so the other side doesn’t bully you. Family Court can feel like the unknown and particularly intimidating where you have no prior experience of…

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family first, solicitors, oxford and reading

What is security of tenure?

Security of tenure is a fancy way of saying “how easy can you be kicked out of where you live”. This blog explains the basics about security of tenure. Read…

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Can AI Be Your Family Lawyer? Family First Solicitors Oxford and London.

Can AI Be Your Family Lawyer?

AI is making inroads into almost every aspect of our lives. In this video Ursula Rice explores the ways in which Artificial Intelligence can help you with your family law…

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Deaf with a Capital D

Recently I advised a Deaf client. The enquiry came in by email, was firmed up using the text relay service, and the advice was given with the assistance of a…

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family first, solicitors, oxford and reading

The Costs of Costs

When we are acting for parents in a dispute about a child we are often asked whether our client can recover their costs from the other parent.

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Divorce, Separation and Family Law: Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering separation or divorce, you will have questions about the rules, costs and common misconceptions surrounding family law and divorce.

In this section, we cover the most frequently asked questions we receive about family law, separation and divorce, and we continually add new topics as they arise.

If your query is not covered, simply call us on 03334 440 003 of fill in the enquiry form below and we’ll do our best to help you.

"Pound sterling symbol on a money bag, with wooden human counters either side of it" How much does divorce cost in 2023. Family First Solicitors

How much does a Divorce cost in the UK in 2025?

The cost of the divorce itself should be relatively inexpensive. You can keep the divorce cost down in two different ways:

1. Doing much of the administrative work on your divorce yourself.
This method of managing the cost of a divorce only costs you your time and the current court fee of £612, which you can pay to the court via their online system.

2. Instructing a Solicitor for help with your Divorce.
This could be because you don’t have the time to do the admin, because you are feeling overwhelmed or you don’t the mental bandwidth for it right now. Family First Solicitors offer fixed fee divorce at £900 +VAT. The court fee of £612 is still payable in full.

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When do I not want a pre-nup?

When do I not want a pre-nup?

Why wouldn’t you want to sort out the sticky ending, when in a positive and optimistic and productive frame of mind, rather than the dark underbelly of being in a divorce?

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Prenuptial Agreements and Deeds Of Trust Oxford London St Albans. Family First Solicitors - Family Lawyers and Divorce Solicitors Oxford London St Albans

Why do I need a Pre-nup?

Why do I need a Pre-nup? New house, new life together, we don’t want to bring you down but preparing now can help if things don’t go to plan.

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How are finances usually divided in a divorce?

In England and Wales, the division of finances during a divorce is based on the principles of fairness and meeting the needs of both parties. The legislation that governs financial settlements in divorce cases in the UK is the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. Section 25.

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Will I have to go to court?

Generally not! It very much depends on one overriding factor in our experience – personality. That’s because there is ALWAYS a way to fix things, even in the most complicated scenarios, if people are reasonable and can listen to the other person’s point of view.

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What happens to maintenance if one of us remarries?

If the person receiving the maintenance remarries, then maintenance payments are immediately terminated under the law. If the paying person remarries then there is no effect on the maintenance by law. However, the payer may ask the court to drop their payment down.

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Who pays the legal fees in the divorce?

The costs of a divorce only are generally borne by the party making the divorce application. You can ask the court to make your ex-spouse pay the costs later down the line, but you need to remember to apply for it on the online divorce platform.

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My partner is violent, what can I do?

Contact helplines and support organisations: In the UK, you can contact organisations such as the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or Women’s Aid for support, advice, and guidance

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Red Question mark over pink piggy bank. how much maintenance am I entitled to?

How much maintenance am I entitled to?

“Entitled to” is the wrong way of looking at it really. It makes more sense to say “ how much to I need” as a starting point, for most people. For the very rich few, there may be a concept of “entitlement” but even then it is not a given.

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What financial information will I need to give for Divorce?

When you are dealing with financial matters in divorce, there will come a point where you are told to disclose your assets and your income. Even if you have decided that you don’t need to do full deep dive bank statement disclosure, there will still be some financial disclosure.

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What If My Spouse Refuses To Accept The Divorce?

Since April 2022, it is far less likely that your spouse will refuse to accept the divorce. The fact that there is no ‘blame’ in the new divorce process means that it is likely that both parties know that the marriage is over and will both want to get to legal closure and officially separate.

However, the legal process can sometimes be abused by a spouse not engaging in the process…

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What If I’m Stuck In The Old Divorce Process?

If your divorce began before 06th April 2022, then you will be in the old system of ‘fault-based’ divorce.

The old fault-based UK divorce system dated from 1973 and was complicated by the requirement for the Petitioner to rely on a ‘fact’ to supports the grounds for divorce. In addition to the ‘ground’ for divorce being ‘irretrievable breakdown’, one of these five ‘facts’ had to be proven:

1. Adultery
2. Desertion
3. Unreasonable Behaviour
4. Separation for 2 years with consent (this was often the least contentious and ‘nicest’ fact)
5. Separation for 5 years due to one party refusing to consent to the divorce

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What are Grounds for Divorce?

In the bad old days, you needed to give a ‘fact’ as grounds for divorce: adultery, desertion, unreasonable behaviour, separation for two years with consent (both of you agree to Divorce) or, as a last resort, separation for five years if one party is refusing the divorce.

As you can imagine, this generated a lot of work for family lawyers and a great deal of unhappiness and ‘finger pointing’ between spouses. It added a layer of complexity, and lots of money was spent on the technicalities – going back and forth trying to negotiate your way out of them.

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Can I Stop My Spouse Dissipating Our Assets?

In some divorces, there’s a real danger that assets of significant value will be lost, spent or somehow dissipated before the divorce is finalised.

If there is evidence that a spouse is about to make a disposition with the intention to of defeating the Applicant’s claim for financial relief, then you can make an application for an Injunction to stop them. If you can show that the intended disposition would completely ruin your chances of a just financial outcome, then the court will presume that that is the intention. The court will make such an order as it thinks fit to restrain the Respondent from disposing of the assets, or whatever it takes to protect your claim.

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Mediation, Family first solicitors

What is Mediation?

Family Mediation helps people who have been in some kind of relationship, end it with dignity and fairness to all.

The Mediator is a trained professional who is neutral. The Mediator does not take a side, but they will try and help with issues that affect the both of you, ensuring that both of you see things for each other’s perspectives.

The Mediator will meet with both parties individually at first…

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Should I apply for a Divorce solely or jointly?

As a general rule, if you can, you should try to make a joint application. That way, there are no surprises and it is the outcome that you both know you need. If you think your spouse is likely to be uncooperative – even after some advice and catching up emotionally – you may be better off making a sole application. There is no longer an option to contest a divorce. However, there may be issues with the service of the divorce papers. If that becomes a problem, we can help.

If you are in a domestically abusive relationship…

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"A question mark on a calendar". How long does divorce take in 2023. Family first solicitors

How long does a Divorce take in 2025?

If you are filing online (i.e. after April 2022), the process will take around 6-8 months.
This is because we find that most people have busy lives and need about a month to gather all of their paperwork, undertake conversations that need to be had, and get up and running before they press ‘go’.

There is then a little bit of delay built into the process

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How can I keep my divorce costs down?

Like any normal person, one of your biggest fears is spending all of your money on lawyers. You are quite right to be afraid, minimising your lawyer spend should be a priority both for you and your spouse.

So if you’re asking “How can I keep my divorce costs down?”, here are four options…

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Can I stop my house being sold?

Sometimes, when things get heated; one spouse says to the other: “I’m going to make you sell the house”. You will naturally be wondering “Can I stop my house being sold?” Well, at least, on a temporary basis that the answer is generally yes, you can stop the house being sold.

Lets look at the various scenarios:

1. You are a joint owner of the house. It’s really simple…

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