Family Law Solicitors in Romford

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

Signature Law is a family law firm in Romford town centre, at Charter House, 123 South Street, RM1 1NX. We act on divorce, money after separation, arrangements for children, domestic abuse and care proceedings. Our solicitors are members of Resolution, we hold a legal aid contract for family and children work, and your first meeting is at a fixed fee. Call 01708 398 851.

Finding us. Charter House is on South Street in Romford town centre, a short walk from Romford station (Elizabeth line and the Liberty line from Upminster). If you need help with parking or access, call us before your visit on 01708 398 851.

What we act on

Divorce and dissolution. The application, conditional order and final order, and making sure the final order isn't applied for before your finances are protected. See our divorce solicitors in Romford page for the stages.

Money and property. Financial disclosure on Form E, consent orders, pension sharing orders, and contested financial remedy proceedings.

Children. Child arrangements orders on form C100, specific issue and prohibited steps orders, and relocation.

Domestic abuse. Non-molestation and occupation orders on form FL401, including urgent applications made without notice.

Care proceedings and council involvement. Advice from the first letter before proceedings through to the final hearing.

Before and outside marriage. Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and property disputes between unmarried couples.

What it costs

You get a written estimate after the first meeting, before any further work starts.

Which route fits your case

Most applications to court about children or money need a mediation information meeting (MIAM) first, unless an exemption applies, such as evidence of domestic abuse.

What the court weighs when dividing money

There is no formula, and a 50:50 split is not automatic. The court's first consideration is the welfare of any child under 18. It then works through the factors in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973:

In most Romford cases the assets that decide the outcome are the family home, pensions and future income. Where there isn't enough to meet both people's housing needs, needs drive the result rather than an equal split. Pensions are often worth more than people expect: we ask for a cash equivalent transfer value for each one early, because it shapes everything else.

Children cases: how they run

The child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration, and the law presumes that both parents' involvement benefits the child unless there is evidence of risk. There is no rule that children live with their mother.

Where a child is at risk, protective orders can be made at any stage, including on the day of an urgent application.

The court for Romford cases

There is no family court in Romford. Children and financial applications for Havering addresses are generally heard at the East London Family Court at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, and some short hearings take place by video. Divorce applications themselves go through the online HMCTS service and are usually dealt with on paper.

Who you will deal with

Sital Somaiya leads the family team. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2011, holds Law Society Family Law Advanced accreditation, and has contributed to the BBC One Show and ITV News on family law. You will have a named solicitor from your first meeting to the end of the case.

Living together but not married

There is no such thing as a common law spouse in England and Wales. However long you have lived together, the rules that let a court share out a married couple's assets do not apply to you. That surprises many of the Romford couples we see, and it changes what you can claim.

If you are separating, the key evidence is who paid what towards the deposit, mortgage and improvements, and any conversations or messages about sharing the home. If you are still together, a cohabitation agreement and up-to-date wills protect you both at a fraction of the cost of a dispute later.

When you need protection quickly

If you are being abused, threatened or harassed by a partner, ex-partner or family member, the court can act fast.

A non-molestation order forbids someone from using or threatening violence, intimidating or contacting you. Breaking it is a criminal offence and the police can arrest.

An occupation order decides who can live in the home, and can remove someone from it or keep them a set distance away.

Without notice applications mean the court can make an order the same day, before the other person is told, where waiting would put you at risk.

Legal aid for these orders does not depend on your income in the usual way, and we can usually take instructions and prepare a statement the day you call. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 first.

Grandparents and other family members

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings often hold a family together after a separation. They have no automatic right to see a child, but they can ask the court's permission to apply for a child arrangements order. The court looks at your connection with the child, what you are asking for, and whether the application could disrupt the child's life. Where a child already lives with you, a special guardianship order can give you parental responsibility and long-term security. We advise family members on both, and on the council's role where children's services are already involved.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring what you have; we will tell you what is missing. Every item below shortens the first meeting or makes the cost estimate more accurate.

• Photo ID and proof of address. Required before we can act for you.
• Your marriage certificate, with a certified translation if it is not in English. This confirms the court can deal with the divorce.
• Your children's names and dates of birth. These go on any C100 application and shape the arrangements.
• Three recent payslips or your last tax return. These show income for maintenance and legal aid.
• Mortgage statement and a rough idea of the home's value. This is usually the largest asset.
• Pension statements, ideally with a transfer value. Pensions are often the second largest asset.
• Any letters from the council, police or court. These decide how urgent the case is and whether legal aid is available.
• Benefit letters, if you receive benefits. These can show you qualify for legal aid without a full means test.
• Evidence of domestic abuse, if there has been any. Examples are a non-molestation order, police caution or letter from a support service. It can open legal aid and exempt you from mediation.