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Wills & Probate
About Lyons Bowe
Driven by our Clients
4467+
Client Reviews
4.8
Head Office
Call us: 01749 345 756info@lyonsbowe.co.uk
Postal Address: 54 High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AS
When it comes to children, their well-being is paramount, and we work diligently to establish supportive and legally sound arrangements for their living situation, contact with parents and overall care.
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Acknowledgement of Service Received
Introduction
When families face separation, the wellbeing and stability of children is always at the heart of every decision. Our experienced family law solicitors provide sensitive, clear advice on child arrangements, including contact, residence, custody, and parental responsibility matters. We help parents reach amicable agreements whenever possible, promoting cooperation and positive co-parenting. Where agreements cannot be reached, we offer effective representation in court proceedings, always prioritising the best interests of your children. Serving families across England and Wales, we provide personalised support, fixed-fee consultations, and detailed guidance to help you navigate child arrangement disputes with care and confidence.
We could give you all the reasons why Lyons Bowe is the law firm you've been looking for, but what truly sets us apart is our team. They're not just experts in family law, they’re real people who genuinely care. From the moment you reach out, you're supported by professionals who’ll listen without judgment, explain things clearly, and help you take the next steps at your own pace.
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Use our enquiry form to tell us about how we can help and what you need, even if all you need is to ask some questions.
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Before we can discuss your situation with you, we’ll need to run a conflict check. This just means checking that we’re not already acting for, or talking to, another party in your situation.
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We will book in a free consultation at a time that suits you. You can have your consultation in person, via video call, or over the phone.
What happens next is up to you. You can get started on the next steps right away, or take some time to think about it, or decide that the next steps aren’t for you. No pressure, no fuss.
We believe that no matter how complex or emotional your family situation is, you deserve a calm, clear and personal legal experience. Whether you’re separating, planning for your future, or making arrangements for your children, we tailor our advice around you, with a focus on fairness, support, and practical results.
Parenting through change isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re agreeing on living arrangements, contact schedules, or decision- making, we guide you with care and clarity to help you build a plan that’s fair, stable, and focused on your child’s wellbeing.
Our firm works in an integrated, seamless structure. This means that if you’re planning for a divorce and need to sell a property or update your Will, all of our departments will work together and rally around you to support you in every way we can.
We will do everything we can to help you move into the next phase of your family’s future, however sometimes a little extra help might be needed. We’ve researched local charities and support organisations who can offer an extra pair of helping hands. Ask your lawyer and they’ll be able to guide you.
The relevant paperwork is submitted to the court. The court will then issue the application and sends it to the CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service). We will then serve a copy of the court papers to the other parent.
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Once you have submitted your application, the other parent then has 14 days from the date of receipt to acknowledge the papers and submit their responses.
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Once the other partner has acknowledged receipt of the papers and submitted their responses, CAFCASS will conduct checks on both you and the other parent with the police and social services.
A CAFCASS officer will attend this hearing to provide you with help and guidance. If you are unable to reach an agreement or there are safeguarding concerns which need to be investigated, the court will decide what the next steps of your case should be.
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Struggling with relationship decisions? Our free consultation lets you explore the “what ifs” of separation or divorce, with no pressure to move forward.
Need discretion? We’re happy to communicate via a discrete email or avoid phone calls, just let us know, and your safety is our priority.
Choosing the right solicitor for your family law needs, whether navigating separation, child arrangements, or financial settlements, is about more than just legal expertise, it’s about finding a team you can trust to guide you through life's challenging transitions with empathy, structure, and genuine support.
Personal, Compassionate Service
We understand that navigating family matters can feel overwhelming and deeply personal. Our team prioritises taking the time to listen, explain legal complexities clearly, and provide supportive guidance to make the process as straightforward and reassuring as possible for you.
Focus on Future Well-being
Beyond resolving immediate legal issues, our aim is to help you and your family build a positive future, whether that involves co-parenting arrangements that prioritise children or securing financial stability for the next chapter of your life.
Structured, Modern Approach
We offer a modern and well-structured approach to family law, utilising efficient workflows and clear communication to ensure you understand each step and feel confident in the progress of your case.
Clear, Fair Fees
We believe in transparent and fair pricing. We strive to offer fixed fees where appropriate and ensure you have a clear understanding of the costs involved at every stage of your family law matter.
We understand that every divorce is unique, and we take the time to understand your individual needs and concerns, with children being our number one focus always.
Collaborative law
Financial Arrangements
Child Arrangements
Forget the confusing lingo and overly wordy explanations. Our app makes sense of it all. Seamless, convenient and designed with you in mind.
The team at Lyons Bowe have been great, replying promptly to any questions and always helpful. The progress updates throughout the process, has been very helpful and really keeps you informed as to where you are within the timeline.
The Mirror Guy, Firm Review
Excellent service. Quietly attentive, sympathetic listeners, and efficient practitioners, all that a worried applicant could wish for. And especially unusual in this day and age....
Brian, Firm Review
Honestly I've never wanted to review solicitors before, they've been ok and have done their job at varying timescales. From the start, my partner and I have commented every single time when something happened how quick they are, and they're a delight to communicate with too! And their app is brilliant and has made things so much easier. We will use in the future and will not stop recommending.
Chris, Firm Review
I recently used Lyons Bowe Solicitors and had the pleasure of working with Holly as my point of contact. From start to finish, the service was outstanding. Holly was professional, approachable, and incredibly efficient - she kept me updated throughout the entire process and made everything feel smooth and stress-free.
Manuel, Firm Review
Rhea, and everyone so far at Lyons Bowe, have been truly fantastic. Excellent communication, chasing me rather than me chasing them, very pleasant in conversation and always ready to help. Highly recommend to anyone.
Rich, Firm Review
Everything was done quickly and efficiently and the app means you are kept informed every step of the way. Thank you.
Nina, Firm Review
Excellent service. Quietly attentive, sympathetic listeners, and efficient practitioners, all that a worried applicant could wish for. And especially unusual in this day and age....
Anonymous, Family Law
Separating was never going to be easy, but Lyons Bowe made the legal side of things much less awful. They were professional but also really understanding.
Anonymous, Divorce Law
When we were sorting out the kids, I really felt heard and valued by the team. They listened to what I wanted and what was best for my children, which meant a lot.
Anonymous, Child Arrangements
Honestly, they were really supportive during my whole divorce. It was a horrible time, but I felt like they were on my side and explained everything so I understood it.
Anonymous, Divorce Law
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The term "residence order" isn't really used anymore. It's been replaced by "child arrangement order". This type of order can set out where a child will live (this is sometimes called a "lives with" order) and when they will spend time with each parent or other important people in their life (sometimes called a "spends time with" order). The most important rule is that any decisions made will always be in the best interests of the child. If you need help understanding child arrangement orders, get in touch with Lyons Bowe.
Child arrangement orders usually last until the child reaches 16 years old. However, sometimes orders about financial support for a child can continue until they are 18, or even longer in some cases, like if they are still in full-time education. The exact length can depend on the specific order, so it's best to get advice on your individual situation from a solicitor like Lyons Bowe.
There is no fixed time frame for how long it will take to achieve a final order, however on average it can take between 6 – 12 months.
Either parent can apply for a child arrangement order, as can: A step-parent, Anyone who has been granted a child arrangement order that stipulates that the child must live with them, Any person that the child has lived with for at least 3 years, Anyone else, including grandparents, must get permission from the court and show that they have had a significant role in the child’s life before they can apply for an order.
Our ethos is to always try to keep the family unit as functional as possible following a separation of divorce, even if it’s difficult in the beginning. If however, there is a more serious reason why you may not wish to see your ex spouse such as abuse, it may be possible to proceed through the divorce and child arrangement process without seeing them, as well as presenting a case for them not being able to see your children.
A court order is not a legal requirement. If you are able to reach an agreement between yourselves that meets everyone’s needs, then you don’t always have to speak to a solicitor. However, we would always recommend getting your agreement written up by one of our family lawyers in case things change in the family at a later date. You can also choose to have your agreement approved by the court to make it legally binding. You can also choose to have your agreement mediated by a solicitor to help you reach an amicable agreement between the two of you. This does not require going to court.
In opposite-sex couples, if you are unmarried and have legal parental responsibility (biological parent or adoptive parent) then you have the same rights to your child as any married parent. The law is slightly different for same-sex couples. Your legal rights to a child will depend on how the child was conceived or came into the family. In any case, it’s best to get in touch with one of our family lawyers before taking any action.
If you're adjusting to new parenting arrangements, our Conveyancing team can support you in buying the right space, quickly, calmly, and with your child’s future in mind. Legal clarity, emotional reassurance, and a smoother move, backed by Family Law guidance.
Lyons Bowe is a trading name of Lyons Bowe Limited, a limited company registered in England & Wales (registered number OC11526226) which is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No. 652616. A list of Directors is available at our registered office 54 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AS
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