Family Law

Milton Keynes CAB has a specialist Family Law Unit that can help you deal with the issues that often arise when couples separate. 

We have a contract from the Legal Services Commission to fund this service which is open to anyone on a low income or benefits and eligible for public funding (previously “legal aid”). 

If you qualify for legal help, then we can help you with a whole range of issues including:

• Divorce and civil partnership dissolution
• Financial Relief proceedings within divorce
• Child disputes including representation at court
• Care proceedings
• Domestic Abuse injunctions
• Parental Responsibility (agreements or applications for orders)
• Cohabitee property disputes including representation at court

Our specialist advisers are:

Leonora Marchant – a qualified Legal Executive and Solicitor with over 15 years of experience in family law practice.  She is also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel and of Resolution.  She supervises the Family Law Unit as well as conducting her own case work.

Siobhan Arslan – a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and working towards qualification as a Fellow.  She has 9 years of experience in dealing with family law issues.

Our family team have a very empathetic approach and are committed to helping you reach an effective solution to your family problems in the least confrontational way, wherever possible.

We have close links with other organisations to help achieve the best outcome. In particular we recommend that family mediation be attempted at an early stage and indeed this is compulsory in most cases prior to court proceedings.

When you first contact us, a brief assessment will be made to check that your case is suitable to take on.  You will then be given an appointment to see one of our specialist family advisors. 

• You will be asked to bring to your appointment: proof of income/ benefits received over the previous month and photo ID. 
• These should include your most recent payslips, benefit letters and bank statements.
• Due to our funding requirements it is important that you bring the correct documents to prove you are eligible for funding, otherwise we will not be able to start dealing with your case.

Your first appointment

At your initial interview with our specialist family advisor, we will:

• Conduct a means test to confirm you are eligible for public funding and ask you to sign a Legal Help form.
• Identify the issues that you need to deal with and provide comprehensive advice.
• Explain whether or not you would be expected to attempt mediation with your former spouse or partner.
• Explain what steps need to be taken in a clear way, to deal with your case.
• Inform you if you are likely to have to repay any of your legal costs (usually only where money or property settlements are involved).

How to Contact the Family Law Unit

• By telephone on:
  01908 604475
• Email enquiry through our website: www.miltonkeynescab.org.uk
• Attending our office in Milton Keynes any weekday between 9.00am – 3.00pm.
• In writing to us at:
  
  Family Law Unit
  Acorn House,
  361 Silbury Boulevard
  Milton Keynes
  MK9 3HP