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Finances for Children

When a couple separates it is often the resolution of financial matters for the benefit of their children that a couple will find most difficult.  We can help you find the most appropriate method to achieve the best outcome for you and your children in a practical and cost effective manner

Our family solicitors advise unmarried couples on the financial provision that can be obtained on separation for the benefit of the children of the family.  We advise client’s regarding the powers of the Court to order:

  • lump sum payments
  • periodical payments
  • secured periodical payments 
  • the transfer or settlement of property

We can also give guidance regarding the level of maintenance that the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (formerly the Child Support Agency) may award.

Mark

Mark Smith

Partner

01392 210700

Mark joined the firm in 1998 and is a partner in the Family Team in Exeter. Mark deals with all aspects of family work, including adoption and civil partnerships. Mark has considerable experience in both private and public law children matters including international relocation cases and is a member of the Law Society's Childrens Panel.

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Bill

Bill Wilkins

Partner

01392 210700

Bill is a partner in the Family Team and joined Stephens Scown in 1993.

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Jo

Jo Stone

Partner

01872 265100

Jo is a partner in charge of the Truro Family Team and deals with a range of family matters, disputes concerning children, injunction work and representing unmarried couples on separation.

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Peter

Peter Marshall

Partner

01726 74433

Peter is a partner in the Cornwall Family Team and heads up the St Austell office having joined the firm in 1994. He deals with all aspects of family and children work.

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Michael

Michael Lowry

Partner

01726 74433

Michael is a partner and Team Leader for the Cornwall Family Team. He is a specialist family lawyer and qualified and practised in London before moving to Cornwall.

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Andrew

Andrew Lobb

Associate

01726 74433

Andrew has a background acting for both private clients and the County Council. He specialises in all aspects of family and particularly child care work acting for children and family members as well as carrying out his own advocacy in both magistrates and county courts.

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Nick

Nick Gibbins

Associate

01726 74433

Nick is an Associate based in the Family Team in St Austell.

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Sarah

Sarah Bell

Solicitor

01872 265100

Having trained with Stephens Scown, Sarah qualified as a solicitor specialising in family law in April 2004.

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Sarah

Sarah Walls

Solicitor

01392 210700

Sarah is a Solicitor in the Exeter Family Team working in all areas of Family Law.

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Chris

Chris Morse

Legal Executive

01392 210700

Chris joined the firm at the beginning of 2008 having moved to Exeter. Having qualified as a Legal Executive specialising in family law in 2009, he works alongside Bill Wilkins in dealing with all aspects of family law.

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Ed

Ed Bidder

Paralegal

01392 210700

Ed joined Stephens Scown in 2006 from Exeter County Court, having developed four years' experience in the family department and customer service manager roles.

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Fiona

Fiona Cavell

Associate

01726 74433

Fiona is an Associate and well established member of the Family Team, having joined in 1991.

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Kris

Kris Seed

Associate

01872 265100

Kris deals with all areas of family law and has a wealth of experience dealing with financial disputes within divorce and contested proceedings regarding children.

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Contact

This six-partner team is spread across offices in Truro, Exeter and St Austell. Its highly skilled lawyers handle some of the region's most complicated financial cases, and also undertake a range of children work. Sources say: "They have built up a very good reputation for money work involving businesses and farms." One impressed observer noted that "they are the best in the South West" for farming cases.

Independent legal guide

Chambers and Partners 2011

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