Family Law and Divorce Solicitors for Hornchurch

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

Yes, Signature Law acts for families in Hornchurch, Elm Park and South Hornchurch on divorce, money and children, from our office at Charter House, 123 South Street, Romford RM1 1NX. We do not have a Hornchurch office, so meetings are at our Romford office or by phone or video. First meetings are at a fixed fee, and we take legal aid for eligible family and children cases. Call 01708 398 851.

Family solicitors for Hornchurch

If your home was bought from Havering Council

A large share of Hornchurch, Elm Park and South Hornchurch housing was built as council housing, and many homes were later bought under Right to Buy. On separation this raises a point that catches people out.

The discount may have to be repaid. If a Right to Buy home was bought on or after 21 November 2024 and is sold within ten years of purchase, some or all of the discount is usually repayable to Havering Council; homes bought before that date carry a five-year repayment period. That repayment comes off the equity before it is divided.

The council may have first refusal. For sales within ten years, the original landlord can have the right to buy the property back first. That affects how quickly a court-ordered sale can complete.

Check the purchase date before negotiating. We get the transfer deed from the Land Registry at the start so these figures are known, not guessed.

If you rent from Havering Council

Where a separating couple holds a Havering Council tenancy, the court can transfer the tenancy into one person's name under the Family Law Act 1996, whether you are married or not. The council is notified and can comment, but the court decides. This is often the main issue in a separation, and it is worth raising early because the tenancy cannot simply be signed over.

Where your case is heard

Hornchurch is in the London Borough of Havering, so children applications (form C100) and financial applications (Form A) are generally issued to the East London Family Court at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf. Before the first children hearing, Cafcass checks police and Havering children's services records.

Starting your case

The first meeting covers the route your case is likely to take and a written cost estimate. Hornchurch matters are run by our family solicitors based in Romford, with advice in Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu as well as English.

Questions Hornchurch clients ask

We bought our Elm Park house from the council four years ago. Can we sell it now? You can, but part of the Right to Buy discount is likely to be repayable to Havering Council. We confirm the figure before you agree how the proceeds are split.

We are not married but rent from the council together. Can I keep the tenancy? The court can transfer a joint council tenancy to one of you even if you were never married. It looks at housing needs, the children and how each of you has behaved.

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