5 types of financial order on divorce or civil partnership dissolution explained
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Family law and divorce solicitors in Preston, Lancashire
Based in Bamber Bridge near Preston, our award-winning Lancashire family law team provides expert advice on divorce, child law, financial matters and modern family issues.
Family law services we offer in Preston and Lancashire
Our nationally-recognised team is one of the largest in the North, giving you peace of mind with the best legal expertise on your case.
We provide strategic, bespoke legal advice and guidance covering all areas of family law:
- Alternative dispute resolution — a quicker, more cost-effective alternative to traditional court proceedings, ADR can help you achieve an effective result in respect of financial and child disputes, even in complex cases.
- Child arrangements — we're deeply experienced and have a highly successful record in all manner of child law matters. This includes complex child-related disputes, abduction and relocation.
- Co-habitation — contrary to popular belief, couples who live together don't enjoy the same financial rights as married couples. To safeguard your interests and achieve financial security, we can help cohabitees to draft a cohabitation agreement.
- Divorce and financial settlements — most divorces are straightforward, though others can be more complex, particularly if there's an international element. We can guide you through the entire process, safeguarding your interests and helping you to achieve financial security.
- Fertility, surrogacy and parenthood — our preeminent team has helped to shape fertility law in the UK by acting in several important cases. Whether you're exploring routes to parenthood or have an issue arising from your family’s circumstances, we can help you too.
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements — while prenup and postnup agreements are pragmatic ways of safeguarding your assets, negotiating terms has the potential to raise tensions. We can walk you through every stage.
Not only can family law be personally challenging — it’s often a time of great emotional upheaval for all involved — but the various aspects of family law can be complex and highly specialised.
We adopt an empathetic, bespoke, outcome-oriented approach. As well as being recognised leaders in their respective fields, our Lancashire family law team contains members of Resolution, meaning that they promote a constructive approach to family issues that considers the needs of the whole family — placing the needs of any children at the heart of the process.
We handle cases of all shapes, sizes and complexities. This includes disputes involving significant assets and investments, including property, businesses and pensions.
Our team will work closely with you to understand your case, walk you through all the options and put together a bespoke strategy aimed at achieving the best possible end result — enabling you to move forward with confidence.
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Award-winning Lancashire family law and divorce solicitors
We're one of the largest, most decorated family law teams in the North. For several years running, we've been acknowledged in The Times Best Law Firms, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
Our Lancashire-based solicitors include Helen Marriott, a 'Hall of Fame' lawyer and Spear's-recognised qualified arbitrator who brings over 30 years of experience across family law matters, as well as Partner Chris Fairhurst, a trained mediator who deals with high-value financial arrangements and complex children issues following separation, and financial and private law children matters expert Amanda Long.
Our family lawyers are commended by peers as leaders in their respective fields, including international divorce, child issues, fertility law and financial matters. Our expertise is routinely called on for TV, radio and press. We offer an extensive range of services across the firm, while maintaining a highly personal service. We champion change and best practice in family law through our membership of various committees and organisations, with team members accredited with Resolution.
Our family law team covers the entire Lancashire region, including Preston, Lytham, the Fylde Coast, Ribble Valley and Lancaster, as well as further north into Cumbria. You can discuss your case face-to-face with us at our welcoming office, closer to your home or, if you'd prefer, we can work with you remotely.
Talk to us by calling 0333 004 4488, emailing family@brabners.com or completing our contact form.
Meet our Lancashire family law team
Accredited, experienced family law experts
“Thank you [Amanda Long] for all you've done for me over the past few months. I didn’t know what to expect when I first came to your office. I was in a bad way mentally and emotionally. After our first meeting, I thought that I could work with you and trust you to help me get through the mess I found myself in. Having never been divorced before, you guided me through the process with great professionalism, courtesy, understanding and respect. You answered all my questions and were always available. Now that the process is complete, I feel confident that I did the right thing and am thankful for your guidance. I would recommend you to anyone in need of your services.”
Client feedback
“Brabners has one of the North of England’s largest family law teams, with expertise across financial, children, international and fertility work.”
The Times Best Law Firms 2025
“Helen Marriott is a key name for complex financial matters and is also a highly skilled arbitrator.”
The Legal 500 2025
“The family team at Brabners are an exceptional offering in the north west of England covering Manchester and Liverpool.”
Legal 500 client feedback 2025
“Brabners is easily the premier family law service in Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding area. They have enormous strength in depth and their first-rate lawyers cover the most serious and complex matters.”
Legal 500 2025 client feedback
“Amanda Long has looked after my interests with regards to my recent divorce. I can honestly say that I'm very satisfied with the way it was dealt with. I was kept well informed throughout the whole process and all actions were itemised and costed. I consider that it was dealt with efficiently and costs were kept to a minimum.”
Client feedback
We are a purpose-led independent family law firm, proudly anchored in the North.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and serve our communities with heart and personality.
Through the Brabners Foundation, we aim to make a real difference for our people and our communities across Lancashire and the North of England.
In 2022, we became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside of London) to become B Corp certified — an independent recognition that we're purpose-driven, committed to creating benefits for all stakeholders and operating as a force for good.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
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Dale Vince — the importance of pre-nuptial agreements to avoid financial disputes during divorce
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As we enter a new year, there are many areas within family law that are ripe for reform — including around cohabitation, financial remedy orders and prenups.
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Contact our Preston family law and divorce experts
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