Family Law Solicitors for Brentwood

Reviewed by Sital Somaiya, Principal Solicitor, Signature Law. Last reviewed 14 October 2026.

Brentwood family cases run in Essex, not London: a different court, a different children's services department and different local support services from our clients a few miles west in Havering. Signature Law handles Brentwood and Shenfield divorces, financial settlements and children cases from Charter House, 123 South Street, Romford RM1 1NX. We are Resolution members and first meetings are at a fixed fee. Call 01708 398 851.

Family solicitors for Brentwood

Your court: Chelmsford, not East London

Because Brentwood is in Essex, children applications (form C100) and financial applications (Form A) are generally dealt with by the Chelmsford County and Family Court, not the East London Family Court that handles Romford and the rest of Havering. Most divorces themselves still run online through HMCTS with no hearing.

If you live in Brentwood but your former partner lives in Havering, or the other way round, the children's address usually decides which court hears a children case. We confirm this before anything is issued, so the application goes to the right court first time.

Essex County Council and Cafcass

Before the first hearing in a children case, Cafcass checks police records and the records of Essex County Council's children's services. If Essex has had contact with your family, it will appear in the safeguarding letter the court reads, so tell us at the start.

Domestic abuse support in Essex

Non-molestation and occupation orders for Brentwood addresses are applied for through the Essex family court, urgently and without notice where needed. Alongside legal protection, Essex runs its own domestic abuse helpline and support services, separate from the London services our Havering clients use. Evidence of domestic abuse can also open legal aid. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Higher-value homes and commuter incomes

Where one of you earns significantly more, or the home and pensions make up most of the assets, the court looks at both of your housing needs and income needs as well as a starting point of equal sharing. Spousal maintenance, its length, and whether a clean break is possible are often the main points to settle.

Starting your case

The first meeting sets out which court applies, the likely route and a written cost estimate. Brentwood cases are run by our Romford family law solicitors, with advice in Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu as well as English.

Questions Brentwood clients ask

Will my case be heard in Chelmsford? If you and the children live in Brentwood, generally yes. If the children live in Havering, it is usually the East London Family Court.

Do you know the Essex court process if you are based in Romford? Yes. We act for clients in both the Essex and East London family courts.

Do you have a Brentwood office? No. We are at Charter House, 123 South Street, Romford, and also meet by phone and video.