Family Law Solicitors Chester & Cheshire

Reaching a fair financial settlement on divorce is often the most complex and important part of the process. Assets to be considered include the family home, savings, investments, pensions, businesses, and any debts. Our solicitors advise on all aspects of financial settlements — from negotiating an agreement to obtaining a consent order that makes it legally binding.

Pensions are frequently the most valuable asset in a marriage and must be properly addressed. We work with specialist pension actuaries where needed and advise on pension sharing orders, pension offsetting, and pension attachment. Our spousal maintenance calculator can give you an indicative estimate of likely maintenance payments.

Without a court-approved consent order, either party can make financial claims against the other in the future — even years after divorce. We strongly recommend formalising any financial agreement through the court to achieve a true clean break.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, we can help you obtain urgent legal protection. Our solicitors act quickly to apply for non-molestation orders and occupation orders — injunctions that can protect you and your children from further harm.

A non-molestation order prohibits your abuser from contacting or harassing you. An occupation order can exclude them from the family home. Both can be obtained on an emergency basis — sometimes the same day — where there is an immediate risk of harm.

Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence. Our team has extensive experience in domestic abuse cases and understands the sensitivity and urgency involved. We will act quickly, discreetly, and with your safety as the absolute priority.

Divorce involving a serving or former member of the armed forces raises unique legal issues that require specialist knowledge. Military pensions — including the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) — are often the most significant asset and must be properly valued and divided. Standard pension sharing rules apply, but the process and calculations differ from civilian pensions.

Other considerations in military divorce include: overseas postings and their impact on jurisdiction; Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and housing rights on separation; the impact of divorce on a service person's career; and child arrangements where one parent is regularly deployed.

PDA Law has extensive experience advising both serving personnel and their spouses on military divorce. We work closely with our military claims team, giving us a unique understanding of the armed forces environment and the specific pressures military families face.