For Individuals / Family and Divorce

Divorce and Separation

Alternatives to court and collaborative law

Civil Partnership Dissolution

Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements

Arrangements for Children

Cohabitation and Separation Agreements

Rights for Grandparents

Domestic abuse and Injunctions

Financial Disputes and Settlements

Cohabitation and Separation Agreements

Although increasing numbers of couples are choosing to live together rather than to marry, many do so without fully understanding the legal consequences of this decision.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “common law marriage” and on the breakdown of cohabiting relationships the courts have only limited powers to deal with financial arrangements. We can advise on the remedies which are available to you and your children as well as on the way any jointly held property should be dealt with.

Many couples who are considering living together and who wish to have some reassurance for the future, enter into a cohabitation agreement setting out the financial arrangements which they have agreed should be put in place both whilst they are living together and in the event of their relationship breaking down. We are experienced in drafting these documents and in advising on and negotiating their content.

Why our clients choose us

Straightforward and
up-front costs

Offices across
the South-East

Highly experienced
legal practitioners

We recognise how important it is that you have confidence in your legal advisor. Therefore, if you would like to have an initial discussion before deciding how to proceed, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Call us now on

01892 510 222

to speak to one of our legal professionals

Alternatively you can Email: info@bussmurton.co.uk
or contact individual team members directly on our Peoples page.

The Family and Divorce Team

Melanie den Brinker
Partner

Melanie den Brinker

Partner

Barrister and Collaborative Lawyer

Family and Divorce

Office : Tunbridge Wells

01892 502 326
mdenbrinker@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Melanie was called to the Bar in 1984. For over 10 years she practised as a Barrister in a specialist set of London family law chambers, regularly appearing in the High Court and conducting a number of cases in the Court of Appeal.

Having taken a career break to care for her children, in 2003 she joined the Buss Murton family team. Melanie is now a partner and head of the family team. Her expertise and wide experience gained both from her time at the Bar and at Buss Murton, enable her to assist and advise on all areas of family law. She now specialises in high net worth financial cases and in complex children cases including those where a parent wishes to move abroad with children.

Melanie is one of the area’s most experienced and active collaborative lawyers and, where possible, strongly supports the resolution of issues through negotiation, rather than through the courts. She is a founder member of the local collaborative lawyers’ group and has given lectures to other family lawyers on collaborative law. Melanie is a member of Resolution (the organisation of family lawyers) and strongly supports the association’s aim to resolve issues in as fair and amicable way as possible.

Expertise

Divorce and civil partnership
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements

Alternative Contact:

Louise Huxstep
01892 502 338
lhuxstep@bussmurton.co.uk

LinkedIn Profile

Articles

Child Arrangements Orders in the UK: What You Need to Know
How to choose your divorce lawyer
How to share Christmas
Varying Spousal Maintenance Payments after Divorce
Putting Children First: Should their views be heard in Court?
“Dr Foster” – How NOT to separate!
Summer holidays – the last straw?
First baby showers and now divorce parties are coming to the UK!
Transgender father denied the right to see his children
Is there such a thing as a ‘good divorce’?

Memberships

Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers)

Kristy Underwood
Partner

Kristy Underwood

Partner

Chartered Legal Executive Advocate

Employment

Family and Divorce

Private Client

Office : East Grinstead

01892 502 312
kunderwood@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Kristy joined Buss Murton as an Associate in November 2015. She has over 25 years’ experience in family, general civil litigation, criminal, Wills & probate and financial planning areas of law.

In 2003 Kristy was admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and in 2008 she became one of the first six Legal Executives in the country to obtain higher rights of audience as a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate in Family Proceedings. She undertakes the majority of her own advocacy.

Since 2001, Kristy has been a full Member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association) and adheres fully to their Code of Practice attempting to achieve a fair and amicable settlement.

Kristy specialises in all areas of family law, wills and probate and employment law.

Expertise

Employment
Settlement Agreements

Family
Divorce and civil partnership
Co-habitation and Separation Agreements
Arrangements for children on divorce and separation
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA)
Special Guardianship Orders
Financial arrangements on divorce and separation
Declaration of Trusts
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
Removal from the jurisdiction
Change of Name
Independent legal advice
Enforcement

Private Client
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lifetime planning
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Declaration of Trusts

Alternative Contact:

Shivangini Pithadia
01892 502 340
spithadia@bussmurton.co.uk

LinkedIn Profile

Articles

New Year New Start

Memberships

Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers)

Margaret Evans
Associate Solicitor

Margaret Evans

Associate Solicitor

Family and Divorce

Office : Tunbridge Wells

01892 502 386
mevans@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Margaret is a Solicitor in the Family Department. Margaret started practicing Family Law in 1996 and joined Buss Murton in January 2000. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2003 and was made an Associate in 2009.

Margaret has considerable experience in all areas of Family Law, specialising in issues relating to arrangements for children and financial provision arising from divorce. Where appropriate, Margaret advises and supports clients in reaching agreement on these matters, but when this is not possible, she guides and assists them throughout the court process.

Margaret also advises unmarried couples in relation to issues relating to children and finances.

Margaret is a member of Resolution and strongly supports the association’s aim to resolve issues in as fair and amicable way as possible.

Expertise

Alternative Contact:

Louise Huxstep
01892 502 338
lhuxstep@bussmurton.co.uk

LinkedIn Profile

Articles

Divorce and Lockdown: The Real Story
Arrangements for children following separation
Minimising distress in divorce
Pre Nups: To Have or Have not?

Memberships

Resolution (the national organisation of family lawyers)

Lora Grogan
Senior Paralegal

Lora Grogan

Senior Paralegal

Family and Divorce

Office : Tunbridge Wells

01892 502 333
lgrogan@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Lora has been part of the Buss Murton family team since 2001. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and qualified with distinction in Family Law and Practice.

Lora has wide experience in all areas of family law and predominantly advises clients who are divorcing or separating and who need to resolve issues relating to finances and children. Lora particularly specialises in complex residence and contact cases, including cases in which one parent wishes to take children to live in a different country.

Lora also works closely with Melanie den Brinker who is head of the family team to provide an expert and cost sensitive approach to matters involving complex and high net value financial cases.

Expertise

Alternative Contact:

Louise Huxstep
01892 502 338
lhuxstep@bussmurton.co.uk

LinkedIn Profile

Articles

“I do”…until I don’t!
Celebrity Divorces
What is a Collaborative Divorce?
Divorce law – welcome to the 21st century
Online divorce applications but what about the financial settlement?
Divorce Mythbusters
5 Tips for a cheaper divorce
Does divorce inevitably mean war? The simple answer is no!
Cohabitation Awareness
Don’t Ignore Pensions on Divorce

Georgina Maxa
Trainee Solicitor

Georgina Maxa

Trainee Solicitor

Residential Property

Family and Divorce

Office : Cranbrook

01892 502 357
gmaxa@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Georgina is a Trainee Solicitor who joined the firm in September 2020. She is completing her first seat with a mix of Residential Property and Family in our Cranbrook branch.

Georgina completed a BA degree in Philosophy at the University of Reading. During this time, Georgina took part in various initiatives abroad, including a study abroad scheme with the University of Mississippi and building a school for earthquake victims in Nepal with the charity Childreach UK.

She completed a law conversion course via a Masters in Law at the University of Brighton, gaining a Distinction. Finally, Georgina completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, Guildford in June 2020 gaining a Distinction.

Margaret Sculpher
Associate Solicitor

Margaret Sculpher

Associate Solicitor

Solicitor

Family and Divorce

Office : Cranbrook

01892 502 354
msculpher@bussmurton.co.uk

Profile

Margaret qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and so is extremely experienced, having practised since then as a family solicitor working in local firms. She joined Buss Murton’s Cranbrook office in May 2020. As a collaborative lawyer and member of Resolution, Margaret is fair and realistic in her approach and aims to resolve family matters in an amicable and constructive manner wherever possible. Margaret sits on the committee for Resolution Kent. She lives locally and is familiar with Cranbrook and the surrounding villages.

Margaret offers clients a 30 minute free initial meeting which will enable you to consider your options and the best approach for you without obligation – please feel free to contact Margaret or her secretary Rosalin Pook to discuss.

Expertise

Alternative Contact:

Rosalin Pook
01892 502 399
rpook@bussmurton.co.uk

We recognise how important it is that you have confidence in your legal advisor. Therefore, if you would like to have an initial discussion before deciding how to proceed, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Call us now on

01892 510 222

to speak to one of our legal professionals

Alternatively you can Email: info@bussmurton.co.uk
or contact individual team members directly on our Peoples page.

Cohabitation and Separation Agreements

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