The specialist family solicitors at Clough & Willis have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of family law issues including divorce, civil partnership, separating cohabitees, financial settlements and child custody arrangements.

Since Clough & Willis was founded in 1948, our team has acted for many thousands of people in Bury and Bolton. We have an excellent track record in providing our clients with the legal expertise, care and support they need at this very difficult time.

We understand that the breakdown of any relationship can be distressing and traumatic, and that this is especially true in cases involving domestic abuse or disagreements over child arrangements. We handle cases with the utmost sensitivity and go out of our way to respond to messages as quickly as possible, so that you do not feel you are left alone to make important decisions.

Our family solicitors' experience means that we are in a strong position to identify all of your legal options and secure a positive outcome for you and your family.

To speak to our family law solicitors in Bury and Bolton about divorce, financial settlements or other family law matters, call 0800 083 0815 or complete the online enquiry form on this page and we will get back to you.

Why Choose Clough & Willis?

At Clough & Willis, our role is to help you understand the legal position, the options available and the likely consequences of each decision before you take action.

We can assist with early advice, negotiations, court forms, financial disclosure, settlement proposals, child arrangement discussions, family mediation preparation and, where needed, representation in court proceedings. Whether your matter is straightforward, urgent or complex, we will explain the legal process in clear terms and help you make informed decisions at each stage.

Our family lawyers can support you by:

• Assessing your legal position and advising on your options
• Explaining the likely process, timescales and legal costs
• Preparing court forms and legal documents
• Negotiating financial settlements and child arrangements
• Advising on family mediation and other non-court options
• Representing clients in court litigation where agreement cannot be reached
• Providing advice in sensitive domestic abuse or domestic violence cases
• Helping with urgent issues involving children, finances or safety concerns
• Advising where family cases involve international elements or complex assets
• Providing fixed fee advice where the matter falls within one of our fixed fee packages

Clough & Willis provides family law advice to clients across Bury and Bolton, Greater Manchester and the wider North West. Our family law team combines specialist legal knowledge with a local, approachable service, so you can speak to people who understand the pressures involved in relationship breakdown, children disputes and financial matters.

The family law department is headed by Managing Partner Lee Marston. Lee is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in the financial side of divorce and children disputes. His extensive experience in this area gives clients access to experienced guidance in complex and sensitive family cases.

We understand that costs will be on your mind when you are looking to retain legal support. We will always be upfront about costs, so you know your position before you instruct us.

Read what clients say about working with Clough & Willis on our testimonials page.

How do family law proceedings work?

The first stage is to get in touch for an initial consultation with our experienced team of family law solicitors. The initial consultation is either a brief phone call at no cost or a fixed fee first meeting to provide a detailed overview of your case and an idea of the costs and way forward. This telephone meeting will provide you with a broad overview of what you could achieve and the likely cost. While we cannot provide free legal advice, we will discuss your circumstances and offer guidance that can help you to make the best possible choice moving forward.

An initial meeting is generally possible within 24 hours of receiving your enquiry. This means that, even if your situation is urgent, we can help. We have two offices in Greater Manchester, in Bury and Bolton, from which we can offer consultations, and we can also provide online consultations or video conferencing where necessary.

If you decide to proceed, the person you met during your consultation will be the solicitor who acts for you throughout the case. For this reason, you can be sure that any details you shared will remain confidential and your solicitor will understand your needs to ensure that they act in your best interests. All our family law solicitors are sensitive, professional and experienced, so they are equipped to handle even the most complicated or emotionally difficult cases.

We will provide a written estimate of the likely costs you will incur by pursuing your chosen course of action - there are no hidden charges or fees. If you are concerned about the costs of different options, we can also provide services on a fixed-fee basis, as detailed below. In this way, you can consider the bigger picture, fully understand the consequences of your decisions, and choose the best path forward to achieve the outcome you desire.

Family Law Services We Offer

Our family law team advises on a diverse range of family matters, including:

Divorce and separation

Our divorce solicitors can advise you on divorce proceedings, separation, financial consequences and the legal steps required to bring a marriage to an end.

We will make sure your rights are protected, prepare the necessary documents and consider the wider issues that can arise during divorce, including financial settlements, property, pensions, business interests and arrangements for children.

Financial settlements and financial remedy

Divorce and separation can involve difficult financial matters. Our specialist financial settlement lawyers can advise on financial settlement negotiations, financial remedy proceedings and consent orders, including clean break orders where appropriate.

We regularly advise clients on the division of property, savings, pensions, income, maintenance, business interests and property portfolios. Where financial arrangements are more complex, we can provide realistic advice on the likely approach of the court and make sure your position is protected.

Child arrangements

Our family and children solicitors advise on child arrangements, and any disputes that result from these. We also advise on private law children cases, including disputes over parental responsibility and important decisions in a child’s life.

We always approach children's cases with care and sensitivity. Where agreement is possible, we can work with you to resolve matters through discussion or family mediation. Where court proceedings are necessary, we will prepare the relevant court forms and represent your interests throughout.

Domestic abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or domestic violence, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Our domestic violence solicitors can provide confidential advice on the legal options available, including protective orders and urgent applications where appropriate.

We will handle your case sensitively and explain the steps that are available to protect you and your family. Where legal aid may be relevant, we will discuss this with you at the inquiry stage and signpost you to appropriate resources where needed.

Cohabitation disputes and agreements

Couples who live together do not automatically have the same legal rights as married couples or civil partners. Our cohabitation solicitors can advise on cohabitation disputes, property ownership, financial contributions and arrangements following relationship breakdown.

We can also help with cohabitation agreements, giving couples clarity about their financial arrangements and responsibilities during the relationship and if it later comes to an end.

Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements

Our family law professionals can draft and advise on pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements. These agreements allow couples to set out how financial matters should be dealt with if the relationship breaks down in the future.

We can provide balanced advice on the legal effect of these agreements, what they should include and how to approach the process in a constructive way.

Civil partnership dissolution

We advise clients on civil partnership dissolution, including the legal process, financial settlements, child arrangements and any related family law issues.

Our team will guide you through the process with clear, practical advice and support you in reaching an agreement wherever possible.

Family mediation support

Family mediation can help separating couples resolve disputes without immediate court litigation. Although mediation is not suitable for every case, it can be a useful way to discuss arrangements for children, finances or property with the help of an impartial mediator.

Our family solicitors can advise you before, during or after mediation, helping you understand your rights, prepare for discussions and turn any agreement reached into a legally effective document where required.

Parental responsibility, change of name and other family matters

We also advise on a range of other family law matters, including parental responsibility agreements, change of name deeds and other legal matters affecting family relationships.