Family Law
Head of Department
The long established yet progressive Family Law Department operating from both our Burnley and Padiham offices is headed by Partner, Colin Warner L.L.B. Solicitor admitted 1988.
Colin is a Member of the Law Society Family Panel, a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel and an accredited member of Resolution.
He specialises in dealing with financial issues arising out of the breakdown of a relationship whilst representing parents, children and grandparents in proceedings brought by the Local Authority.
Colin has a particular interest in ensuring that grandparents and other members of the extended family receive advice on ensuring appropriate financial and other support from the Local Authority and the child be cared for within appropriate legal framework and was involved in one of the leading reported cases on this issue
The Team
- Katharine E. Marshall LL.B. Solicitor admitted 2005. Member of the Law Society Family Law Panel and an accredited member of Resolution. Katharine has a specialism in domestic abuse cases and is highly experienced in child care cases involving the Local Authority.
- Fiona Cordeau, Solicitor admitted 2007. Fiona is based at our Burnley office, is a member of Resolution and has a particular interest in disputes between unmarried couples together with offering a full range of family law services.
- Tina Rayward, Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who is based at our Padiham office, is a member of Resolution with a particular interest in domestic abuse cases and offers a full range of family law services.
- Louise Marshall, A Member of the Institute of Legal Executives. Besides her own case load in which she enjoys particularly acting for clients who require urgent assistance, Louise regularly attends on clients involved in contested hearings offering them both advice and support.
Waddington and Son have regular family law clinics at outreach centres in Bacup, Padiham, Clitheroe and Nelson where vulnerable clients can arrange to see us without having to make the journey to our offices.
All of our staff have received specialist training in the timely, efficient and sympathetic way that this firm assists victims of domestic abuse.
Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution
Settling and advising on prenuptial agreements. Pursuing Divorce and dissolution proceedings to conclusion. Advice on all issues surrounding divorce and partnership dissolution including children, financial and pension issues arising out of the relationship breakdown with a view to dealing with matters in a constructive non-confrontational manner as promoted by Resolution and the Law Society's Code of Conduct.
Financial Issues on Relationship Breakdown
- Advice on maintenance and child support.
- Lump sum and property transfer applications.
- Transfer of equity and release from mortgage.
- Pension implications
- Child support through further and higher education
Residence and Contact Difficulties
- Common sense sensitive, sensitive approach to all matters involving children.
- Negotiating residence and contact arrangements.
- Advice on shared responsibility and joint residence.
- Advice to grandparents on contact.
- Referrals to mediation where appropriate.
- Commitment to client care and achieving best outcome in cases that result in Court proceedings.
Domestic Abuse
- Advice and representation for victims of domestic abuse of all types.
- Emergency injunction applications undertaken. Sensitive commitment to client care.
- The firm also recognises the right of those accused of domestic abuse to receive advice and representation.
Local Authority Care Proceedings
- Representation of parents in care proceedings
- Representation of parents and grandparents in care proceedings.
- Representation of children and guardian ad litem.
- Finding of fact hearings.
- Assisting carers to receive appropriate financial support from the Local Authority.
Adoption
- Applications for adoption.
- Advice to and representation of parents opposing adoption application.
