Business Details
21 Years
experience
Expert Family Law Services in London
Established in 2005 by Andrea Woelke, Alternative Family Law specialises in English family law with a focus on providing accessible, client-centred legal solutions. Our approach prioritises alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and collaborative law, recognising the emotional complexities inherent in family law matters. With expertise in international family law, surrogacy arrangements, and LGBTQ+ family structures, we offer tailored guidance for diverse family dynamics. Our team combines decades of experience in navigating complex financial settlements, child custody arrangements, and cross-border legal challenges.As a consultant at Josiah-Lake Gardiner Solicitors, Andrea Woelke maintains oversight of all cases, ensuring continuity of service while benefiting from the resources of a regulated law firm. We emphasize transparency in communication, avoiding hidden fees, and empowering clients through clear explanations of legal processes. Our work extends to educating both legal professionals and the public through published articles and contributions to legal debates on evolving family law issues.
Services
Divorce
Surrogacy
Mediation
Cohabitation
Child Arrangements
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years' experience in international family law cases
- Our team specialises in alternative dispute resolution methods
- We provide expert guidance on surrogacy and LGBTQ+ family law
- Our solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
- We combine personal service with law firm resources
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Divorce Proceedings
We guide clients through the complete divorce process from initial paperwork to financial settlements. Our approach focuses on minimising conflict while protecting client interests, particularly in complex cases involving international assets or child custody arrangements. With expertise in post-2022 no-fault divorce procedures, we help clients navigate modernised legal requirements while addressing practical concerns about property division and spousal maintenance.
Surrogacy Arrangements
Specialist advice covers all aspects of surrogacy law including pre-conception agreements, parental orders, and international surrogacy recognition. We help intended parents navigate complex legal frameworks to establish legal parenthood, with particular expertise in cases involving same-sex couples and cross-border arrangements where differing national laws create additional challenges for family formation.
Mediation Services
We facilitate constructive negotiations for family law disputes through accredited mediation processes. This service helps couples resolve issues related to child arrangements, financial settlements, and cohabitation disputes without court proceedings. Our approach encourages cooperative problem-solving while ensuring clients understand their legal rights throughout the negotiation process.
Cohabitation Agreements
We draft legally sound cohabitation agreements that clarify financial arrangements and property rights for unmarried couples. These agreements help prevent disputes in case of relationship breakdown by establishing clear guidelines for asset division, particularly important for properties held in joint or single names with complex ownership structures.
International Family Law
Our expertise covers complex international family law matters including jurisdictional disputes, child abduction cases under the Hague Convention, and financial settlements involving overseas assets. We advise on EU regulations affecting divorce proceedings and help clients navigate conflicting legal frameworks when parties have connections to multiple jurisdictions.
People
Andrea Woelke
Consultant Solicitor
Family law specialist with 20+ years' experience, author of 'Civil Partnership' textbook, former chair of Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association, expert in international family law and surrogacy arrangements.
Questions
What areas of family law do you specialise in?
We specialise in divorce, surrogacy law, cohabitation disputes, international family law, and LGBTQ+ family matters including civil partnerships and same-sex parenting arrangements.
Do you handle international family law cases?
Yes, we have extensive experience with cross-border family law issues including jurisdictional disputes, international child custody matters, and recognition of foreign divorce decrees in English courts.
Can you help with surrogacy arrangements?
We provide comprehensive legal guidance on UK surrogacy law, including parental orders, pre-conception agreements, and international surrogacy recognition issues for intended parents.
What alternative dispute resolution methods do you offer?
We specialise in mediation and collaborative law approaches to resolve family disputes without court proceedings, focusing on constructive solutions for relationship breakdowns.
Are you regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority?
Yes, Andrea Woelke works as a consultant at Josiah-Lake Gardiner Solicitors which is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and insured.
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Reviews (1)
George S.
Nov 12, 2018
Report
Very happy with the support. Professional and sound advice. Thoroughly recommended. Thank you very much!
