Search guides & insights

Family Law

Our legal team has extensive expertise in all areas of family law and is known for providing a personalised, responsive service to clients.

We will advise and guide you towards a fair and practical outcome in all legal aspects of divorce, children and finances. We have many years of collective experience, are members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association) and are trained in collaborative law, mediation and arbitration.

Contact our family law team to find out how we can help you by phone on:

Guernsey: +44 (0) 1481 734228Jersey: +44 (0) 1534 601682

Alternatively you can use the 'contact us' form.

Contact Us

Thank you for your message, we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Location:

Please contact me by:

Please ensure you have checked the reCAPTCHA box
Family Law services
Divorce
+
-

We provide practical advice in plain English on all aspects of divorce and separation. We will guide you through the legal process as quickly, painlessly and cost effectively as possible.

Divorce - the basics
Grounds for divorce
Same sex marriage and divorce 
Defended divorce
Flow chart of an undefended divorce
Alternatives to divorce
Ten practical tips for getting divorced
Common questions

Children
+
-
Finances
+
-

Financial issues can be one of the more challenging aspects of divorce and separation. We provide robust, cost-effective advice on the various options available to separating parties.

Options at a glance
Finances - the basics
Flow chart of a financial application
Different types of Court order
How the Court decides who gets what
Financial dispute resolution hearings
Alternatives to Court
Common questions

Judicial separation
+
-

Judicial separations are unique to Guernsey and present a quick and cost effective way of securing an agreement in relation to children and finances. We will advise and guide you smoothly through the process.

Read more

Cohabitation
+
-

There is no such thing as 'common law marriage', nor are there any specific rules relating to cohabitation. On separation, the issues can become complex requiring expert guidance.

Read more

Injunctions
+
-

On the breakdown of a marriage or relationship, either party or children may need protection. The law aims to provide immediate protection for those who need it, and if you find yourself in this position then it is essential that you act quickly. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.

Read more

Prenuptial agreements
+
-

While prenuptial agreements are not legally binding, they are becoming an increasingly common feature of modern-day marriage. We offer expert advice and guidance in this area.

Read more

International
+
-

In an ever-shrinking world, disputes involving international family law are becoming more and more common. We offer specialist legal advice in this area. 

Read more

Change of name
+
-

Changing your name in Guernsey is relatively straightforward but usually requires a brief Court attendance. We can guide you smoothly through the process.

Read more

Insight 28 Nov 2023

Common law marriage

This article first appeared in issue 15 of the ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce Magazine - Divorce Litigation Conference Edition. It is no secret that the Matrimonial Causes Act...

Life & Careers 13 Nov 2023

Advocates called to Guernsey Bar

Collas Crill Associates Amy Davies and Jazzmin Le Prevost have been admitted to the Guernsey Bar. Amy joined Collas Crill in 2022 and is an Associate in the Dispute...

Insight 9 Jun 2023

The 'Common Law Marriage' myth

This article first appeared in issue 29 of En Voyage magazine Cohabiting couples are the fastest growing family model in the UK. According to the Census 2021, the...

Insight 5 Dec 2022

Common law marriage myths

A recent study by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has found that the number of cohabiting couples in England and Wales is rising, with around 3.6 million...

Insight 10 Oct 2022

The Bank of Mum and Dad

In times of ever-increasing property prices, parental contributions towards house purchases are becoming increasingly common. According to recent research by Legal &...

Insight 6 Oct 2022

Travelling with children

This article was first published in Aurigny's inflight magazine, En Voyage, in October 2022. Click here to view the publication, this article is on page 75.  As Covid...

Showing 6 of 16 Results

Load more
Guide 11 Jun 2021

How to divorce like a billionaire

Firstly it was Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, then it was Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott and now Bill Gates and his wife Melinda...

Guide 4 Feb 2021

Family Law - dictionary

AbductionThe wrongful removal of a child from the parent with care without their permission.  AdoptionAn application to Court for the official transfer of all parental...

Guide 31 Dec 2020

Divorce - the basics

Basic requirements All divorce proceedings in Guernsey are dealt with in the Royal Court. Divorce proceedings can be issued in Guernsey if either party to the marriage...

Guide 31 Dec 2020

Grounds for divorce

There is only one ground for divorce, that is that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. The Court cannot hold that a marriage has irretrievably broken down unless the...

Guide 31 Dec 2020

Defended divorce

Defended divorce proceedings occur when a divorce petition is issued, and either the respondent does not accept that the marriage has broken down irretrievably or does not...

Guide 31 Dec 2020

Flow chart of an undefended divorce

1 Petitioner signs divorcen petition.   Petitioner sends divorce papers to Court and sends copy to respondent and co-respondent (adultery petitions...

Showing 6 of 32 Results

Load more
Event 15 Feb 2024

TL4 HNW Divorce forum

Partner Ben Havard has been invited to speak at the Thought Leaders 4 HNW Divorce first annual Practitioner's Forum on 'Trusts in Divorce', the only event to bring together...

Showing 1 of 1 Results