Family Solicitors Across England
National Legal Service Solicitors provides private and legal aid family law support across England, including divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse, financial settlements and care proceedings. Legal aid may be available for qualifying cases.
Experienced Family Solicitors
Family law issues can affect your home, your children, your finances and your sense of stability. National Legal Service Solicitors provides clear family law advice and representation across England, including private family law support and legal aid representation where a case qualifies.
We are the largest provider of legal aid for domestic abuse cases in England, and 9/10 clients say they would recommend us.
Legal aid is available for qualifying family law cases. If you are worried about the cost of a family solicitor, our team can explain whether legal aid may be available and what information may be needed to assess your eligibility.
Our family solicitors support people with divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse, financial matters, separation and care proceedings. We also have a dedicated care division for parents, family members and children involved with children’s services.
If you need advice, you can call 020 3601 5051 or request a callback. NLS offers free initial advice through a no-obligation consultation so you can understand the next steps before deciding how to proceed.
What can our family solicitors help with?
Family law covers many different issues, from separation and child arrangements to protective orders and care proceedings. Some matters can be resolved by agreement, while others may need urgent advice or representation in court proceedings.
Our role is to explain the process clearly, help you understand your options and support you in making informed decisions. The right approach will depend on the circumstances, the evidence available and whether legal aid or private funding is appropriate.
Divorce Solicitors
Divorce solicitors can help you understand the divorce process and the practical issues that may need to be resolved after separation. This may include advice about finances, property, pensions and arrangements for children.
Domestic Abuse
Our domestic abuse solicitors support people experiencing abuse within a relationship or family setting. We can advise on legal options such as non-molestation orders, occupation orders, child arrangements and legal aid where available.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence refers to physical abuse or violent behaviour within a family or intimate relationship. It is one form of domestic abuse. If you’re affected, our solicitors can explain the legal options available, help you access protection through the courts and support you in making informed decisions about your future.
Child Arrangements
When parents or carers cannot agree on arrangements for a child, it’s important to understand your legal options. We provide clear guidance on where a child lives, the time they spend with each parent and the factors a court may consider if an agreement cannot be reached.
Civil Partnership Dissolution
Our family solicitors can advise on ending a civil partnership and the related practical issues that may need to be resolved. This may include financial arrangements, property, pensions and any arrangements involving children.
Coercive Control
Coercive control can involve patterns of behaviour that isolate, intimidate or control another person. Our solicitors can explain protective legal options and advise on related family law issues, including child arrangements and domestic abuse applications where relevant.
Cohabitation
Our cohabitation solicitors help unmarried couples understand their legal position when living together, separating or planning future arrangements. We can advise on cohabitation agreements and practical issues involving property, finances and children where relevant.
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders - DAPO
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), are being piloted in selected areas, intended to provide flexible legal protection in domestic abuse cases. We’ll guide you whether a DAPO may be available in your area or if another protective order may be more appropriate
Emergency Protection Order
Where a child is at immediate risk of harm, an Emergency Protection Order may be required to ensure their safety. We can explain the legal criteria, advise you on the options available and support you through the application process.
Non-Molestation Orders
A non-molestation order can provide legal protection from harassment, threats, intimidation or abuse by a partner, former partner or family member. If you’re considering an application, we can support you in the process and see what legal aid options are potentially available.
Occupation Orders
Occupation orders can help decide who lives in the family home or whether someone should be excluded from the property. Whether you’re seeking to stay in the property or need protection, we’ll help you understand your options and the factors the court will consider.
Divorce Financial Settlement
Reaching a financial settlement is an important part of the divorce process. We work with you to resolve matters involving property, pensions, savings, income, debts and other assets, helping you achieve a fair and practical outcome.
Forced Marriages
Our solicitors support people who are at risk of forced marriage or affected by forced marriage. We can explain protective legal options, including forced marriage protection orders and help you consider safe next steps.
Legal Aid
Legal aid may be available for qualifying family law, care proceedings and domestic abuse matters. We can assess whether you may be eligible, explain the application process and help you gather any information needed to support your claim.
Parental Responsibility
Parental responsibility covers the legal rights, duties and responsibilities a person has for a child. Our solicitors can advise parents and carers on what parental responsibility means, how it may be obtained and how it may apply in child arrangements decisions.
Prohibited Steps Order
A prohibited steps order can prevent a specific action being taken in relation to a child. This may include concerns about a child being removed from school, moved to another area or taken abroad without agreement.
Separation Agreements
A separation agreement can help separating couples record practical arrangements where divorce has not started or is not being pursued. Our solicitors can advise on agreements covering finances, property and family responsibilities.
Legal aid family solicitors - do you qualify?
Legal aid can help with legal advice and representation in some family law cases where the case falls within scope and the person qualifies financially. In many civil legal aid cases, eligibility involves looking at the type of case, the person’s financial circumstances and whether the case meets the relevant merits criteria.
NLS holds a legal aid franchise with the Legal Aid Agency and supports clients with family law legal aid where the rules allow it. A solicitor can explain the assessment process, what documents may be needed and whether another funding route may be more suitable if legal aid is not available.
Legal aid may be available in family law matters involving:
- Domestic abuse or risk of serious harm
- Some child arrangements cases where there is evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse
- Protective injunctions such as non-molestation orders
- Forced marriage protection
- Some family mediation matters
- Specified care proceedings and public law children cases
- Some urgent children law applications
In private family law cases, legal aid is not available for every dispute. GOV.UK explains that family issues such as finances, children or divorce may be covered where the person has been in an abusive relationship and qualifies under the relevant rules. This is why early advice is useful, especially if you are unsure whether your matter falls within scope.
What are the means and merits tests?
The means test looks at financial eligibility. This can include income, savings, benefits, property and other financial circumstances. The assessment is not always straightforward, so it is sensible to speak to a legal aid family solicitor before assuming you will or will not qualify.
The merits test looks at whether the case meets the relevant legal aid criteria. This can include whether there is a reasonable legal basis for the application, whether the proposed action is proportionate and whether legal aid funding is justified under the rules.
Some cases have different rules. For example, specified care proceedings under the Children Act 1989 can be non-means and non-merits tested for certain parties, including parents with parental responsibility and the child who is the subject of the proceedings.
What information may be needed for legal aid?
The documents needed will depend on the type of case and your financial circumstances. A solicitor can explain what is required and help you understand whether there is any evidence needed to bring a private family law matter within scope.
You may be asked for information such as:
- Proof of identity
- Details of income, benefits, savings and capital
- Bank statements
- Information about your housing costs
- Evidence relating to domestic abuse or child protection concerns where relevant
- Court papers, letters from children’s services or other important documents
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, only gather information where it is safe to do so. If there is immediate danger, call the police or seek urgent support before taking steps to collect documents.
Why choose National Legal Service Solicitors?
Choosing a family solicitor is an important decision, especially when the issue involves children, safety, your home or your financial future. A good solicitor should explain the process clearly, avoid unnecessary pressure and help you understand the practical options available.
National Legal Service Solicitors supports people across family law, care proceedings, child arrangements, domestic abuse and legal aid matters. Our service is designed to be clear, calm and practical, with advice focused on the legal process and your next steps.
NLS can support clients through:
- Offices across England, not only in London
- Over 30 years of combined family law experience
- A legal aid franchise with the Legal Aid Agency
- Free initial advice through a no-obligation consultation
- Private and legal aid family law representation where available
- A dedicated care division for children’s services involvement and care proceedings
- Plain-language advice that explains the process without unnecessary jargon
We cannot promise a particular outcome and no solicitor should. What we can do is explain the law, help you prepare, advise on your options and represent your position where legal support is needed.
Family solicitors across England
If you are looking for family solicitors near you, NLS has offices across England and can help you find the right team for your enquiry. Depending on your circumstances, support may be available in person, by phone or by video appointment.
Our family law solicitors can advise on divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse, financial matters and care proceedings. You can view our office locations or contact us to discuss the next steps.
How our family law process works
Every family law matter is different, but the first step is usually to understand the issue, identify any urgent risks and decide what legal process may apply. Some cases need immediate action, while others may involve advice, negotiation, mediation or a planned application to the Family Court.
During your initial discussion, you can explain what has happened and what you are concerned about. A solicitor can then outline the possible next steps, whether legal aid may be available and what documents may be useful.
The process may involve:
- An initial discussion to understand your situation
- A legal aid assessment where this may be relevant
- Advice on your rights, responsibilities and options
- Letters, negotiation or attempts to reach agreement
- Preparing an application or responding to court papers
- Representation in court proceedings where needed
- Ongoing advice as the case develops
If children are involved, the focus will often be on their welfare, safety and practical arrangements. If domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns are present, advice should also consider safety, protective orders and the safest way to communicate or manage documents.
Speak to a family solicitor today
If you are dealing with divorce, child arrangements, domestic abuse, financial issues or children’s services involvement, early advice can help you understand the process and avoid missing important steps. You do not need to have everything organised before making contact.
Call 020 3601 5051 or request a callback to speak with National Legal Service Solicitors. Legal aid may be available for qualifying cases and free initial advice is available through a no-obligation consultation.
Family Solicitors FAQs
- What does a family solicitor do?
A family solicitor advises on legal issues involving relationships, children, finances, domestic abuse and family breakdown. This can include divorce, child arrangements, financial settlements, protective injunctions, separation agreements and care proceedings.
A solicitor can explain the legal process, prepare documents, negotiate on your behalf and represent you in court proceedings where needed. The level of support required will depend on the circumstances and whether the matter can be resolved by agreement.
- How much does a family solicitor cost?
The cost of a family solicitor depends on the type of case, the work required and whether the matter is funded privately or through legal aid. Some cases may involve a single advice appointment, while others may require correspondence, applications, hearings and ongoing representation.
Legal aid may be available for qualifying family law cases. Eligibility depends on the type of issue, financial circumstances and the relevant merits criteria, except in some specified public law children proceedings where different legal aid rules can apply.
- Can I get legal aid for family law matters?
You may be able to get legal aid for some family law matters, but it is not available for every case. It may be available for domestic abuse, some child arrangements cases involving evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse, protective orders, certain mediation matters and specified care proceedings.
A legal aid family solicitor can assess whether your case may qualify. GOV.UK explains that legal aid eligibility depends on the type of problem and can also involve financial checks.
- What is the difference between a family solicitor and a family lawyer?
In everyday language, people often use “family lawyer” to mean someone who advises on family law. A solicitor is a legally qualified and regulated type of lawyer who can advise clients, prepare legal documents and conduct litigation where authorised.
If you are searching for a family lawyer, it is important to check what type of legal professional you are contacting and whether they are regulated to provide the help you need. National Legal Service Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
- How do I find family solicitors near me?
You can start by looking for a regulated family law firm with experience in the type of issue you are facing. It may also help to check whether the firm offers legal aid, private representation or both.
NLS has offices across England and can support many clients through local offices, phone appointments or video appointments where appropriate. You can visit the offices page or call 020 3601 5051 to ask which office or department is best placed to help.