Family Solicitors Hampstead

Osbornes Law is ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500. Our Hampstead office is on Flask Walk, NW3, and we advise clients across Hampstead, Highgate, Belsize Park, and the surrounding area.

Family disputes are rarely straightforward. Whether you are separating from a long-term partner, dealing with a difficult question about your children, or trying to protect assets built up over many years, the decisions you make now will shape your life for years ahead. Our family lawyers are here to give you clear, practical legal advice at every stage.

We are one of London’s largest specialist family teams, with over 45 years of experience advising clients in Hampstead and across north London. All of our solicitors are members of Resolution, the professional body committed to resolving family disputes constructively and with as little conflict as possible. We act for clients across the full range of family matters, from straightforward separations to complex high-net-worth cases.

Divorce and separation in Hampstead

Since April 2022, the law has changed significantly. Under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the only ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. You no longer need to blame your spouse or cite adultery or unreasonable behaviour.

Either or both spouses can apply, including through a joint application. The process involves two stages: the conditional order (formerly the decree nisi) and the final order (formerly the decree absolute). There is a mandatory 20-week waiting period after the application is issued before you can apply for the conditional order, and a further six weeks before the final order. The court fee is currently £593.

No-fault divorce has made the process significantly less adversarial, but the financial settlement and any arrangements for children still require careful handling. The divorce application ends your marriage; it does not divide your assets or set out arrangements for your children. Those are separate processes, and getting them right matters enormously. Our Hampstead divorce solicitors deal with both alongside the divorce itself, so nothing is left unresolved.

Many couples can reach agreement through negotiation or mediation. Where that is not possible, our solicitors represent clients in financial dispute resolution hearings and, where necessary, contested proceedings. We will always explore non-court options first.

Arrangements for children

When parents separate, the question of where children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent is usually the most urgent concern. We help families reach arrangements that genuinely work for the children, whether through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings if they become necessary.

We advise on child arrangement orders, which set out where a child lives and how contact is managed. We also handle specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders, applications to relocate within the UK or abroad, and cases involving international child abduction under the Hague Convention. These are complex and time-sensitive matters, and we have extensive experience acting in them.

Since March 2024, most people must consider non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) before applying to the family court. This includes attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). We can advise you on the process and help you turn any agreement reached into a legally binding consent order.

Financial settlements and prenuptial agreements

The financial settlement is often the most complex part of a divorce. Assets to be considered include the family home, savings, investments, pensions, business interests, trusts, and any pre-acquired or inherited wealth. Until a court order is in place, neither party is fully protected, and a former spouse can make financial claims years after a divorce if no order has been agreed.

We advise on consent orders where both parties have reached agreement, and we represent clients in contested financial remedy proceedings where agreement cannot be reached. In high-value cases, this can involve working with forensic accountants, valuers, and pension actuaries to ensure all assets are properly accounted for. We are regularly instructed in cases involving offshore assets, complex trust structures, and international elements.

Chambers HNW 2024 describes our team’s work clearly: “Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work.” We also draft and advise on prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements. While these are not automatically binding in England and Wales, courts give them significant weight where both parties had independent legal advice and entered the agreement freely.

Jewish family law and get proceedings

Hampstead has a significant Jewish community, and we have particular experience advising Jewish clients on the intersection of civil and religious family law. A civil divorce, granted by the English courts, does not dissolve a Jewish marriage under Jewish law. For the religious marriage to end, a get (a Jewish religious divorce document) must be obtained separately.

Without a get, a Jewish woman is considered an agunah and cannot remarry under Jewish law. The get must be given voluntarily by the husband and accepted by the wife, and the process is governed by rabbinical court. We work with rabbinical authorities and can advise you on both the civil and religious aspects of your separation, so that both are properly addressed. For further background, see our blog post on divorce, child arrangements, and the Jewish festivals.

Areas we serve from our Hampstead office

Our Hampstead office is on Flask Walk, NW3. We advise clients across Hampstead and the surrounding area, including Highgate, Belsize Park, Chalk Farm, Golders Green, Swiss Cottage, and Finchley Road.

For complex matters, including high-value financial proceedings and international cases, we advise clients across London and nationally. Many clients instruct us remotely or travel to our offices in Hampstead or Camden.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

Osbornes Law is one of London’s largest specialist family teams, ranked in Chambers UK HNW, the Spears HNW Guide, and the Times Best Law Firms. All of our solicitors are members of Resolution.

Independent reviewers are clear. “Osbornes is a top-end firm, a very well-established name. They have high-value matters, deal with complex matters and have a good team.” (Chambers HNW 2024). Legal 500 2024 notes that “they are uniquely placed to cater for every avenue of family legal difficulty, whether financial or children.”

Speak to our Hampstead family solicitors

Call us on 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below to arrange an initial conversation with one of our family solicitors.

Frequently asked questions

What family law services do your Hampstead solicitors offer?

Our Hampstead family solicitors advise on divorce and separation, arrangements for children, financial settlements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes, civil partnership dissolution, and Jewish get proceedings. We act for clients across the full range of family law matters, from straightforward separations to complex high-value cases.

Do your Hampstead solicitors handle divorce?

Yes. Our Hampstead office deals with all aspects of divorce, including the divorce application itself, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. For full details of our divorce service, see our dedicated Hampstead divorce solicitors page. We advise on both straightforward no-fault divorces and complex high-net-worth cases.

Do you advise on Jewish divorce (get) proceedings?

Yes. We have significant experience advising clients on the intersection of civil and religious Jewish family law. A civil divorce does not dissolve a Jewish marriage; a get must be obtained separately through a rabbinical court. We advise on both processes and work with rabbinical authorities to ensure both the civil and religious aspects of a separation are properly addressed.

What is a child arrangement order?

A child arrangement order is a court order that sets out where a child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. It can be made by agreement, as a consent order, or following contested court proceedings. We always try to help parents reach agreement without going to court, as this is usually better for the children and less stressful for everyone involved.

How much does a family solicitor cost in Hampstead?

Costs depend on the nature and complexity of your case. We offer fixed fees for certain services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement, and hourly rates for more complex or contested matters. We will give you a clear costs estimate at the outset so you know what to expect. For high-value or complex matters, we can discuss the likely cost range at your first appointment.

Do I have to go to court for family law matters?

Not necessarily. Many family disputes are resolved through negotiation or mediation without any court involvement. Since March 2024, most people must consider non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) before applying to the family court. We always explore non-court options first and only recommend court proceedings if they are genuinely necessary.

What is the difference between a separation agreement and a consent order?

A separation agreement is a private contract between separating parties that sets out agreed financial and children arrangements. It is not automatically enforceable by a court. A consent order is approved by a court and is legally binding and enforceable. For financial arrangements to be fully binding, you need a consent order. We can advise you on which is appropriate for your situation.

Which areas near Hampstead do you cover?

We advise clients across Hampstead and the wider north London area, including Highgate, Belsize Park, Chalk Farm, Golders Green, Swiss Cottage, and Finchley Road. For complex matters, we advise clients across London and nationally. If you are not sure whether we cover your area, call us on 020 7485 8811 and we will be happy to advise.