Family Law
At all times, our commitment is to provide our clients with practical advice and assistance which will allow them to resolve disputes, settle contentious issues and overcome legal problems.
Family Law Introduction
The breakdown of any family relationship causes great stress and emotional upheaval for all involved. Our family law solicitors offer specialist advice regarding the serious legal and financial implications of a family relationship breakdown in a manner which is always cognisant of the difficult situation facing the client. Our solicitors can guide you through the process from start to finish.
The possibility of a negotiated settlement of a family law dispute is always explored in the first instance. We can also offer clients the option of separating or divorcing using the Collaborative Family Law model however, if the dispute cannot be resolved in this way, our solicitors are very experienced in representing our clients’ interests in the Family Law Courts.
Children and Children's Rights
We are very experienced in the area of Children’s Rights and have advised clients in relation to such issues for many years. We are familiar with the Child Care Act and the actions that can be taken in relation to children by the HSE or Gardai if they believe there is a risk to a child. We have advised parents on what to do in the event that there is an application made to take a child into care and we have represented parents in Court in relation to such issues. We have liaised with the HSE and their solicitors and have also frequently engaged with Guardians ad Litem in relation to Child Care matters. We are very conscious of the rights of the child and have also acted on behalf of parents seeking to enforce their children’s rights against the State and other parties. In particular the Right to Education is an issue we have advised clients on a number of occasions. We have also advised parents on the issues arising in respect of adoption applications and what the parents’ rights are in those circumstances and what the child’s rights are in those situations.
Collaborative Law
Watch intro to Collaborative Law
In Collaborative Family Law, negotiations take place in a series of four way meetings with both the husband and wife and their respective solicitors working together to effect a resolution of all family law issues. This particular model of how to separate or how to divorce differs from Court based family law litigation in that the husband and wife make the decisions on the final result. The Collaborative Family Law model focuses on the parties’ interests, allows everyone to maintain their dignity, lessens hostility, and reduces negative impact on children. Paul McKnight is a trained collaborative family law solicitor and can advise and assist clients with this relatively new process of how to separate or how to divorce.
Our Services
- Separation
- Divorce
- Nullity
- Issues relating to children, Guardianship, Custody, Access and maintenance
- Domestic violence, protection, safety and barring orders
- Prenuptial and co-habitation agreements
- Co-habitation and non-marital relationships
