Family lawyers for international families

When a relationship ends, the legal questions arrive at a difficult time: where to divorce, how to divide what you own, and what arrangements are best for the children. For international families there are further questions, such as whether the English courts have jurisdiction, how a foreign marriage or marital property regime is treated, and whether an order made in England will be recognised in Spain.

We advise on family matters in England and Wales and work across the UK and Spain where a case requires it. We aim to resolve matters by agreement where that is possible and safe, and we prepare thoroughly for court where it is not.

What we do

Divorce and dissolution

We advise on divorce and the dissolution of civil partnerships under the no-fault system in England and Wales, including joint and sole applications, and whether England or another country is the right place to start proceedings.

Financial settlements

We advise on dividing property, savings, pensions and business interests, and on maintenance. Where assets are in Spain or elsewhere, we consider how they will be valued, how an English order would be implemented abroad and whether parallel steps are needed in Spain.

Arrangements for children

We help parents agree where children will live and how they will spend time with each parent.

Prenuptial, postnuptial and cohabitation agreements

We draft and negotiate agreements that record how a couple's finances should be dealt with if they separate. For couples with links to Spain, we consider how the agreement interacts with any Spanish matrimonial property regime.

International marriages and recognition

We advise on whether a marriage celebrated abroad is recognised in England, the documents needed for proceedings (including translations and apostilles), and the registration of marriages in Spain.

Situations we help with

• You married in Spain, now live in London and want to divorce.
• You and your spouse own a property in Spain and cannot agree what should happen to it.
• You are getting married and want a prenuptial agreement that works in England and Spain.
• You have a divorce or financial order from another country and need to know whether it is recognised in England.

Points to consider

• The process takes time. In England and Wales you must wait 20 weeks from the court issuing the application before applying for a conditional order, and a further 43 days before applying for the final order. Financial matters should be resolved before the final order where possible.

How we work

• English and Spanish law in view. Our family work is led by Antonio Arenas, who is qualified in England and Wales and in Spain.
• Bilingual. We advise in English and Spanish and can deal with Spanish documents directly.
• Agreement where possible. We encourage negotiation and mediation where they are appropriate, and we prepare carefully for court where they are not.

How a matter usually runs

1. First meeting. We discuss your circumstances, the countries involved and your priorities.
2. Jurisdiction and strategy. We advise on where and how to proceed, and on interim arrangements.
3. Disclosure and negotiation. Financial information is exchanged and we negotiate, directly or through mediation.
4. Agreement or court. An agreed settlement is recorded in a consent order; otherwise we take the case to court.
5. Implementation. We help put the outcome into effect.

Related services

• Private Client: wills and estate planning after separation.
• Immigration & Nationality: family visas and residence.
• Dispute Resolution: inheritance disputes.
• Spanish Desk: property and proceedings in Spain.