Divorce & Family Lawyers: France
View this page in French here.
During divorce, specialist legal advice is essential to ensure UK citizens based in France and French people living in London and other parts of the UK reach comprehensive settlements on finances, property and arrangements for children. Your circumstances may include:
- Being a French resident in England and Wales or the spouse of a French resident who lives in England and Wales
- You are English but living in France
- You were married in France
- You or your spouse has other family connections with France
How Can A Solicitor Help Secure Your Divorce In France Or England?
There are key differences in the way French and English courts approach divorce settlements. And this could significantly affect the amount one spouse ultimately receives. Different considerations might also apply to children. And this may dictate where they reside following a divorce.
As a result it’s at the very beginning of your Anglo-French divorce that you must make the most important tactical decision: where should the case be heard? In France or England?
An English or French couple based in either country can legitimately seek a divorce in both jurisdictions. But as English courts are known for being more generous to financially weaker spouses, there may be a dispute about where to seek a divorce.
Where more than one country can grant the divorce it’s the court that receives notification first that will decide matters. Sometimes there is a scramble to lodge the divorce petition in the country of choice before the other spouse has a chance to lodge his or her own petition. At Brookman we are able to act with the urgency required to ensure, where possible, you secure the best forum to determine your settlement.
Our Legal Services For French/UK Divorce
In addition to helping you decide the best place to divorce, Brookman can advise on the following:
- How any financial settlement will be reached – whether through mediation, informal negotiation or a court hearing
- French legal procedure, including the newly introduced out of court divorce process in France
- Whether the court will recognise a pre nuptial agreement in relation to French or UK property
- What financial information you need to disclose
Child Arrangements And Anglo French Divorce
France is a member of the Hague Convention on the International Abduction of Children.
At Brookman we have a great deal of experience in advising on Hague Convention issues. For example, we recently successfully defeated an application under the Hague Convention made by a French National in relation to a child and mother who had returned to the UK. We have extensive experience in dealing with child relocation issues following divorce in France and the UK and have access to efficient representatives in France.
Contact Us
At Brookman we are specialist divorce lawyers and family solicitors. We have advised numerous clients who are either UK–based but originate from France, or are living in France but have a connection with England or Wales.
Or call us: +44 (0)20 7430 8470