Our Family Law Solicitors
Clare PeckettDirector and Solicitor
Allan LayfieldDirector and Solicitor
Toby NettingDirector and Solicitor
Juliet WalkerConsultant Solicitor
Samantha DownesAssociate Solicitor
Switalskis family solicitors and lawyers are among the best in Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, and the rest of Yorkshire. They're here to ensure you receive the best outcome for your circumstances, uphold your rights, and support you through a challenging time.
Unmarried couples don't have the same legal protections as married or civil partnership couples, but with our family solicitors on your side, you'll get the best outcome for your situation. It's more complex when you’re an unmarried couple separating, and how you share financial responsibilities, debts, and child care is all open for discussion. Our family law solicitors are on hand to help; we’ve worked with many unmarried couples when they split up to help them reach a fair outcome.
We can help you negotiate what the future arrangements will be and draft a separation agreement. This can include both the arrangements for your children and your finances. We can consider matters the courts cannot and work with you to create a separation agreement that meets your needs, which is legally binding.
If an unmarried couple approach the courts for intervention, the court will be limited in what it can consider and what outcomes it can order. This means they will divide things based on the law and not what you might think is fair. Unmarried separations are complex, as the law is often black and white, while a relationship isn’t as clearly defined. Our solicitors can guide you through the separation process and negotiate for your best interests.
Having one of our solicitors on your side means you will get a fairer outcome. Dividing an unmarried couple's assets is challenging, and you need to act quickly to get your rights to any assets established so they can’t be sold before your rights are enforceable.
We want to make sure you get the right solicitor for you, so we offer everyone a free initial consultation to tell us about your situation. You can then decide if we would be a good fit to represent you.
Get the support you need from our expert solicitors - schedule your free initial consultation now on 0800 995 6040, or fill in our form.
Family matters are complex and emotive, but there is no need to navigate them alone. At Switalskis, we're more than just solicitors; we're compassionate people who will listen to your circumstances and help you move forward.
Our team will guide you every step of the way. We'll break down your options and rights in plain English, tailoring our advice to your circumstances. You'll never be left unsure because we're committed to easing your concerns and answering your questions.
Many of our solicitors are members of Resolution, a respected network of family law specialists who are committed to the constructive resolution of family matters. Others are trained mediators and qualified collaborative lawyers because not every case has to go to court; with the right support, most family matters can be agreed amicably. Our memberships and accreditations mean you can rely on us for quality, up-to-date professional advice.
Don’t wait - get expert advice and discover your options for claiming compensation today on 0800 995 6040, or fill in our form.
If you are an unmarried couple with a property, it isn’t always clear what happens. What it says on the deeds is not always the final answer. If you shared a property with your ex that one of you owned then the non-owner may be able to make a claim under TOLATA. TOLATA is the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, which means that even if you’re not named on the deeds, you can claim ownership rights.
TOLATA lets the court make decisions on property disputes between unmarried couples, including who owns the property and who gets to stay in the property.
Before pursuing a TOLATA claim we will work with you closely to try resolve things out of court, using mediation and negotiation. If we cannot get an agreement for you then we will:
The process of agreeing a separation varies between couples. If you and your ex are amicable and willing to negotiate then the process can be much quicker and won’t require waiting for court dates or lots of back and forth. However, if you can’t agree things then it becomes more complicated, as proving someone has a financial interest in something they don’t own isn’t straightforward, Also if you need to go down the routes of mediation, arbitration or court it will take longer as you have to wait for available dates with the professionals or courts.
Even if you’re unmarried, you are still the parents of the child or children and still have parental responsibility. This isn’t impacted if you separate. You will need to agree the child arrangements, which lays out who the child lives with and when, and when they go visit and speak to the other parent. If you cannot agree, the court will decide. It may also include any financial arrangements for your children like child maintenance, the payment of school fees and clubs etc.
For unmarried couples usually it is decided based on the legal owner. For example, who paid for an item is often regarded as the legal owner.
If you have something where you are not the legal owner, but you think you have a right to some or all of it, this is called a beneficial interest. It is possible to show you have a beneficial interest in the things you bought together or were both gifted the item/money. Our solicitors will be able to explain how this works and what is needed to show you have a beneficial interest. They will also explain what happens if the court disagree with your claim, as this may leave you liable for the other parties legal fees.
Family law issues can be hard, but you don't have to go it alone. At Switalskis, we offer straightforward, useful advice to guide you during this tough time.
Family law has its own maze of legal rules. But we're here to make complex situations easy to understand. We'll be with you from the get-go, taking care of the paperwork and all the fine print, and keeping you updated at each step.
We understand that family law matters aren't just about the law; they're big life changes. Our solicitors aren’t just legal experts, but also great listeners. We focus on what you really need and tailor our services to fit your specific situation.
We have been involved in family law for many years, and we understand the complexity of every family matter. When you're dealing with important family issues, you need quality advice. Whatever your situation, we have the know-how to manage it smoothly.
Our aim is to set you up for a brighter future after resolving your family law issues. We'll make sure you're fully protected by the law and supported along the way.
If you're faced with a family law issue and would like personalised advice, get in touch with our team today.
Call us on 0800 995 6040 or get in touch through our website.