Matrimonial Law
Notice to all existing clients of Vincent Buffoni and Co and newcomers to our site.
Please note that the Principal of this practice, Dhruti Thakrar, has been appointed as a Partner to set up a new Immigration Department at a firm called Edwin Coe LLP (address as below -a Top 200 Law Firm), together with two of her other colleagues Jahanara and Christine. We will be moving over to our new firm on 11 November 2013 which is based near Chancery Lane. This is exciting news for us and we do hope that we can continue our relationship at Edwin Coe.
Edwin Coe LLP
2 Stone Buildings
Lincolns Inn
London WC2A 3T
Tel 0207 691 4137
Our email address at Vincent Buffoni and Co will remain active for the time being and my email address after 11th November 2013 will be dhruti.thakrar@edwincoe.com. Edwin Coe LLP is a Top 200 Law Firm who provide a wide variety of legal services and our new colleagues there will be happy to assist you in any other legal matters that may arise in the future. You may view their website at http://www.edwincoe.com/.
As matrimonial law solicitors based in London we can advise on a wide range of issues as set out below:
DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
We can advise on obtaining a divorce and act for clients based both in the UK and outside the UK.We try to prevent cases from becoming contentious and aim to keep bad feeling to a minimum.As divorce solicitors based on the boundaries of Islington and Hackney as well as the City of London we deal with clients from the local area but also for clients from further afield.
We also provide advice on the rights of cohabitees and on separation agreements.
FINANCIAL CLAIMS ON DIVORCE
We specialize in dealing with financial claims between divorced or separating couples.We act for both petitioner and respondent in such matters and although our aim is to seek to resolve matters amicably where necessary we will act robustly on your behalf.
APPLICATIONS RELATING TO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN AND RESIDENCE ORDERS
We have considerable experience in dealing with applications for contact and/or residence orders.
We try to keep matters as amicable as possible between the parents so that the child/children do not become embroiled in a dispute between the parents.
Where necessary we can obtain injunctions for example in cases involving potential child abduction.
SPECIFIC ISSUE ORDERS
In some cases it is necessary to apply for a specific issue order and we have considerable experience in dealing with such matters.
PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
More and more people are now entering into pre-nuptial agreements before they marry to protect their assets in the event that the relationship later breaks down.
We would ask you to beware of DIY agreements that can be bought off the internet. They may not take into account your own personal circumstances and a badly drafted agreement could result in it not being enforceable and this could cost you more in the long run. The law relating to prenuptial agreements is reasonably complex and it is worth instructing legal experts in order to ensure that an agreement is drafted in accordance with your particular needs and also so that it has a reasonable chance of being enforceable in the event that it is challenged by your spouse /partner. Our fees are extremely competitive so it is worth obtaining a quote.
In the recent case of Radmacher v Granatino it was held by the Supreme Court that “the court should give effect to a nuptial agreement that is freely entered into by each party with a full appreciation of its implications unless in the circumstances prevailing it would not be fair to hold the parties to their agreement”.
The decision of the court has meant that many individuals are now seeking to sign either a prenuptial agreement or a post nuptial agreement especially where one of the individuals has substantially more assets than the other.
Although it is not possible to say that in the event of a future dispute the court will definitely uphold the terms of the prenuptial/postnuptial agreement nonetheless the decision in the case of Radmacher v Granatino means that it is highly likely the court will uphold the agreement provided that both parties were properly advised before the agreement was signed and provided that the court is satisfied that in all the circumstances it would be fair to uphold the agreement.
You should be aware that in many divorce cases especially where the parties have been together for many years the court will often order a 50/50 sharing of all property and assets between the parties however where there is a properly drafted prenuptial/postnuptial agreement there is now a strong likelihood that the division of assets will be in accordance with the terms of the prenuptial/postnuptial agreement provided that the agreement itself is fair and reasonable and does not totally favour one of the parties over the other.
With both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements it is important that both parties receive independent legal advice from separate solicitors before signing the agreement.In addition neither party should be under pressure to sign the agreement.In the case of a prenuptial agreement it is usually advisable for the agreement to be signed at least 21 days before the wedding.
It is also necessary for there to be full disclosure of their financial assets by each of the parties and the agreement must include plans for children that the parties currently have or for any children that they may have in the future.
If you are seeking advice on whether to sign a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement we are able to offer a free initial consultation either over the telephone or by email.
For more information about the service which we can offer please call Dhruti Thakrar on 0208 953 7072 or email dhruti@vincentbuffoni.co.uk
Although the courts are not bound to follow what has been agreed in the pre-nuptial agreement they are giving much more weight to such agreements now than they used to and we would strongly encourage clients to enter into such an agreement where appropriate.
As pre-nuptial agreement solicitors based on the boundaries of Islington and Hackney as well as the City of London we deal with clients from the local area but also from further afield.
COHABITATION AGREEMENTS
The drawing up of a cohabitation agreement is now becoming more and more common and the courts will place a great deal of weight on the terms of any such agreement in the event of a dispute.We would strongly encourage clients to enter into such an agreement where appropriate.
We aim to provide sympathetic and cost effective advice and our approach is to try to conciliate matters where possible.However we will act robustly on your behalf when circumstances demand.
For more information about the services we offer as London based matrimonial lawyers please call Dhruti Thakrar on 0207 251 8484.
