Family Law Solicitors Ireland

Family law is the branch of law that deals with domestic matters and disputes involving family members. 

A broad range of legal cases are covered under the umbrella of family law and no two cases are the same. 

Still, matters like divorce follow clear, definite procedure and it is helpful to have a family law solicitor on hand to ensure both parties adhere to that process. 

Because it is a broad and quite general term, family law can encompass all kinds of legal matters involving many different family dynamics. 

If you are embroiled in a legal dispute involving family members, you may want to consider getting in touch with an experienced family law solicitor. 

Get in touch with our team at Hughes & Associates today for advice on how to move forward with your case.

A family law solicitor needs to be an expert on any legal issues that centre around family disputes.

This includes but is not limited to matters around divorce and spousal separation, child custody, shared property and domestic violence.

On top of the legal requirements of the role, a family law solicitor needs to be someone their clients can trust with sensitive information. 

It is the solicitor’s role to ensure the conflict is resolved as fairly and quickly as possible.

Many cases in Irish family law are hugely delicate because of the relationships and circumstances involved. 

At Hughes & Associates, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality legal representation, as well as being a warm and friendly guide for our clients throughout the legal process.

There are many branches of family law, but the following list offers a good overview of the kinds of cases we often cover.

A judicial separation is a course of action chosen by married couples who cannot agree on the specific terms by which they will, moving forward, live separately. 

In this instance, a court will regulate the terms of the couple’s separation for them.

In Ireland, you must be living separately from your spouse for 2 out of the previous 3 years in order to file for divorce, so a judicial separation can be a useful early stage in that process.

Feel free to contact our team at Hughes & Associates to find out if you are eligible for a judicial separation.  

In order to pursue a divorce in Ireland, a couple must be living separately for at least 2 of the last 3 years, there must be no chance of the couple reconciling and arrangements must have been made for dependent family members. 

The process is made far more drawn out if the spouses do not agree on the dissolution of their marriage. 

This is called a contested divorce and it will usually go to trial, where a judge will then decide on the specifics of the divorce. 

A family law solicitor will try to ensure the process goes smoothly and quickly to avoid a contentious and expensive divorce that drags on for a long period of time.

Mediation and collaborative practice are means of resolving family disputes through a third party who acts as a buffer for both sides. 

It is not a form of relationship counselling with any goal of reconciliation, but rather a clear and clinical environment in which a couple can come to an agreement on the terms of their separation.

The more money involved in divorce proceedings, the bigger the role of your legal representation tends to grow. 

For a high net worth couple, it is important to have clarity over the property and assets involved in a divorce. 

A good family law solicitor can be invaluable in ensuring there is no hidden agenda throughout the process.

Most of us would rather avoid going to trial and, at Hughes & Associates, we will do our best to work achieve a settlement outside of court that is fair to everyone involved. 

The vast majority of divorce cases do not go to trial, and we will help you avoid court unless it is completely necessary.

A lender’s point of view will not change in the aftermath of a divorce, meaning the repayments on your mortgage will still be due every month. 

Our team of family law solicitors can facilitate fair negotiations on the division of mortgage payments moving forward following a divorce.

When a person dies while married, succession laws rule that their property be distributed to their spouse, civil partner or children. 

Even if a spouse is not mentioned in a will, they are legally entitled to share in the estate of their partner.

If you separate, you may forfeit your succession rights in a separation agreement or a judicial agreement.

Maintenance constitutes financial support paid to a dependent child, spouse or civil partner. 

In a separation, maintenance figures can arise as a point of contention, and it is important that negotiations determine a fair outcome.

Cases around domestic violence can be some of the most difficult and traumatising proceedings in Irish law. 

Domestic violence covers physical, sexual and psychological violence and abuse, and it can affect anyone. 

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you can apply for a court order to protect you from the perpetrator of your suffering. 

Any breach of that order is a criminal offence that can be prosecuted. 

Deciding on the right pension for you and your family can be a difficult process and you may want to consider employing an experienced solicitor to help you understand your options. 

Contact us today for help with selecting an appropriate pension for your situation.

On average, divorce proceedings in Ireland will take between three and nine months to complete.

That is the case for a consented divorce in which both parties are happy with the terms agreed upon.

If the divorce is contested, meaning one party does not agree with its terms, this period can be extended significantly and may take several years.

It is highly unlikely you will have to go to trial to be granted a divorce – roughly 90% of divorce agreements in Ireland are settled outside of court.

If you are filing for judicial separation, you will need to provide grounds for divorce, which include:

If you are preparing for a divorce and want to make sure you are aware of the right procedure to follow, get in touch with our team at Hughes & Associates today for a comprehensive guide on the process.

If you have been affected by any area of family law and you wish to seek help in navigating the legal process moving forward, feel free to contact us today. 

At Hughes & Associates, our team have vast experience at dealing with all aspects of family law. 

We prioritise our clients and strive to provide you with warm and knowledgeable guidance to help resolve your family law conflict.