Divorce & Family Law Solicitors in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Going through a divorce or a family dispute is one of the hardest things you will ever face, and the right legal support makes a real difference. Belderbos Solicitors is a specialist family-law-only firm helping people in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and across North West Leicestershire with divorce and separation, children matters, financial settlements and domestic abuse.
Family law is all we do, so whatever you are dealing with, you will work with solicitors who understand it inside out. We offer a free, no-obligation discovery call so you can talk through your situation and your options before you commit to anything.
Why choose Belderbos for family law in Ashby-de-la-Zouch?
There are several solicitors in and around Ashby-de-la-Zouch, but most are general high-street practices that handle everything from house sales to wills alongside family work. We are different.
- Family law only. We do not split our attention across conveyancing, probate or commercial work. Every member of our team spends every day on divorce, children and finance matters, which means sharper advice and fewer surprises.
- Resolution-accredited specialists. Our solicitors are members of Resolution and hold its Specialist Accreditation, with Collaborative Family Lawyer and Mediator accreditations among the team. That reflects both expertise and a commitment to a non-confrontational, constructive approach.
- Resolution-first, court when needed. Wherever it is safe and sensible, we aim to settle matters away from court through negotiation, mediation or collaborative law, keeping cost, stress and delay down. When court is the right answer, we are experienced advocates for you.
- Child-focused and empathetic. We give calm, plain-English advice and keep the welfare of any children at the centre of what we do.
- A genuine local presence. Our Leicester office is around 18 miles from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, easily reached via the A511 and M1, and our Oakham office is also available if it suits you better.
Ready to talk it through? Book your free discovery call or call us on 01572 490660.
Our Ashby-de-la-Zouch team
Belderbos runs a single, close-knit family law team across both offices, so clients in Ashby-de-la-Zouch get the full strength of the firm. You will have a named solicitor who stays with you throughout your matter, rather than being passed from person to person.
- James Belderbos – Director and Founder. James leads the firm and works across all areas of family law, with a particular focus on collaborative, out-of-court resolution.
- Sophie Ball – Family Law Solicitor, advising on divorce, finances and arrangements for children.
- Nick Robertshaw – Family Law Solicitor with many years of experience across divorce, children and financial matters.
- Emma Potter – Family Law Solicitor, supporting clients with divorce, finances and children matters.
For most Ashby-de-la-Zouch clients, our Leicester office is the nearest point of contact, with Oakham available as an alternative. You can read more about our ethos on our Why choose Belderbos page, and see what clients say on our testimonials page.
Our family law services in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Whatever stage you are at, we can help. Below is an overview of how we support clients in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the surrounding area.
Divorce and separation
We guide you through the no-fault divorce process from start to finish, keeping it as straightforward as possible. Learn more about divorce and separation.
Children matters
We help you reach workable arrangements for where your children live and how they spend time with each parent, always putting their welfare first. See our children and child arrangements service.
Financial settlements
We advise on dividing property, pensions, savings and other assets fairly, and on securing a binding consent order. Read about financial settlements.
Domestic abuse
If you or your children are at risk, we act quickly to seek protective orders and keep you safe. Find out about our domestic abuse support.
Nuptial agreements
We prepare pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements to give couples clarity and protection. See nuptial agreements.
Cohabitation and separation
Unmarried couples have different rights, and we advise on property, finances and children when a relationship ends. Read about cohabitation and separation.
Out-of-court solutions
Where possible we resolve matters constructively through mediation, collaborative law, family arbitration and lawyer-led negotiation. Explore all our out-of-court solutions.
Court proceedings
If agreement cannot be reached, we represent you firmly and clearly throughout any court proceedings.
Serving Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire and the surrounding areas
Ashby-de-la-Zouch sits in the North West Leicestershire district, close to the Derbyshire and Staffordshire borders, and we regularly support clients from the town and the communities around it. That includes Measham, Moira, Packington, Heather, Blackfordby, Smisby, Worthington and the neighbouring towns of Swadlincote and Woodville just over the county boundary.
Because Ashby-de-la-Zouch is well connected to Leicester by road, our Leicester office at 38 Market Street is the natural choice for most local clients. Our Oakham office in Rutland is also available if it is more convenient. You will find full details for both, plus all the ways to get in touch, on our contact page. Wherever you are based, the same specialist family law team handles your matter, and much of the work can be managed by phone, email and video where you prefer.
Please note that we are unable to offer legal aid.
Local resources in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
A few local resources can be useful if you are dealing with a family law matter in the Ashby-de-la-Zouch area:
- Family Court. Divorce and children proceedings for the Ashby-de-la-Zouch area are dealt with at Leicester County Court and Family Court on Wellington Street, the nearest Family Court to the town. You can confirm the right court for your circumstances using the UK Find a Court or Tribunal service. As a specialist family firm, we manage court paperwork and any hearings on your behalf, so you rarely need to deal with the court directly.
- Citizens Advice. For free, impartial general guidance on benefits, housing or debt alongside your legal matter, Citizens Advice Leicestershire holds regular sessions in the area, including at Holy Trinity Church on Kilwardby Street in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, with its nearest staffed office in Coalville.
These are general signposts; for advice specific to your family law situation, the best starting point is a conversation with a specialist solicitor.
How to reach our family solicitors in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Our Leicester office is at 38 Market Street, Leicester, LE1 6DP, around 18 miles from Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
By car. The most direct route is the A511 from Ashby-de-la-Zouch through Coalville to junction 22 of the M1, then south into Leicester, roughly a 30 to 35 minute drive in normal traffic. Alternatively, the A42 links quickly to the M1. The office sits in the heart of Leicester city centre, with several public car parks nearby, including Jubilee Square and the St Nicholas Circle NCP.
By bus. Arriva services 29, 29A and X29 run from Ashby-de-la-Zouch town centre to Leicester via Coalville, with a stop close to the city centre and a short walk to Market Street.
By train. Ashby-de-la-Zouch does not have its own railway station. The nearest stations are Burton-upon-Trent, Loughborough and Leicester, with Leicester station around a ten-minute walk from our office, so for most clients travelling from Ashby the car or bus is more practical.
Whichever way you travel, it is worth checking live directions with an online map before you set off. Our Leicester office is by appointment only, so please arrange your visit with us first.
Accessibility
Our Leicester office is not permanently staffed, and consultations there are by appointment only. Please get in touch to arrange a time that suits you. Our Oakham office in Rutland is our main staffed office. If you have any specific access requirements, let us know in advance and we will do everything we can to accommodate you, including arranging telephone or video appointments where that is easier.
Frequently asked questions about family law in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Costs depend on the type of matter and how straightforward it is to resolve. We believe in being open about fees from the outset, and we will explain how charges work during your free discovery call so there are no surprises. Please note that we are unable to offer legal aid.
You can apply for a divorce yourself, but most people benefit from advice, particularly on finances and arrangements for children, which are dealt with separately from the divorce itself. A specialist solicitor helps you avoid mistakes that can be costly to put right later, especially around a financial consent order.
Under the no-fault divorce process, there is a minimum timeframe of about 26 weeks. After applying, there is a 20-week reflection period before you can apply for the conditional order, then a further six weeks and one day before the final order. In practice many cases take around seven to eight months, and longer if finances or children matters need to be resolved.
A Child Arrangements Order sets out where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent. The term “custody” is no longer used. The court’s paramount concern is always the welfare of the child, and we encourage parents to agree arrangements between themselves wherever possible, often with the help of mediation.
Yes. We offer a free, no-obligation discovery call to anyone in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the surrounding area. It is a relaxed conversation about your situation and the options open to you, with no pressure to proceed.
Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral mediator helps you and your former partner reach your own agreement on issues such as finances or children. It is usually quicker, cheaper and less stressful than court. Going to court means a judge decides the outcome, which is sometimes necessary, for example where there is domestic abuse or one party will not engage. A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is generally required before most court applications.
Book your free discovery call
If you are facing divorce, separation or any family law issue in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, we are here to help. Your free, no-obligation discovery call is a chance to talk things through with a specialist family solicitor, understand where you stand and decide on your next steps, with no pressure and no obligation.
To book, call us on 01572 490660, email admin@belderbossolicitors.co.uk, or book your free discovery call online. Whether you are in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Measham, Moira or anywhere across North West Leicestershire, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.