Marriage & family

Yes. A lawyer is bound by professional rules to keep a client's information confidential, and that duty continues after the work has ended. If you make contact to understand your position and then decide not to go further, what you have said remains confidential. You can tell us at the outset how you prefer to be contacted and which channels to avoid.

It depends on whether the two positions conflict. Where the parties already agree and only need help with the procedure, one lawyer may work with both, provided both consent and there is no conflict of interest. Where property or the children remain in dispute, each party should have separate representation. We check for conflicts before accepting instructions and say plainly if we cannot continue to act.

First the death certificate and the documents evidencing the family relationships between those involved. Then the documents for property held in the deceased's name, and the will if there is one. You do not need everything in place before making contact; we will draw up the list with you and point out which documents can be reissued. If views within the family differ, you can say so in advance so that discussions are arranged accordingly.

Not always. Many matters in this area are resolved by agreement between the parties, together with notarisation or certification under the applicable rules. Court becomes necessary where the parties cannot agree, or where the procedure itself requires it. We set out both routes with the likely time and cost so that you can weigh them, rather than treating proceedings as the starting point.