When your relationship changes or breaks down, resolving practical and emotional challenges can feel daunting. For many families, collaborative law offers a constructive and dignified alternative to the stress and uncertainty of court proceedings.
Our collaborative family law solicitors deliver steady, informed and compassionate guidance to help you reach agreements that reflect your priorities. Recognised by the Legal 500 for our exceptional client care, we support you through a process that emphasises open communication, respect and long-term stability.
Clients who choose collaborative law benefit from our measured approach, our extensive divorce, children and family law experience, and our dedication to building strong working relationships. With offices in Reading, Tadley, Staines and Richmond, our collaborative family solicitors assist clients across all aspects of collaborative divorce and separation, including:
- Collaborative divorce
- Financial settlements and division of assets
- Child arrangements
- Spousal maintenance and child maintenance
Contact our collaborative family law solicitors in Reading, Richmond, Staines and Tadley
For clear and practical advice on collaborative family law, contact our specialist team in Reading, Tadley, Staines, and Richmond. You can use our simple enquiry form or send an email to info-reading@rowberrymorris.co.uk. A member of our experienced family law team will respond promptly to help you begin the process with confidence.
Our collaborative family law expertise
Collaborative law is designed to promote cooperation and reduce conflict, allowing separating couples to resolve issues while maintaining control over the outcome. Our collaborative lawyers are trained in this specialist approach and have supported clients through matters ranging from straightforward separations to complex financial and childcare arrangements.
We work closely with clients across the divorce process: whether you are exploring separation, ready to initiate the collaborative process, or require guidance after negotiations have stalled elsewhere. Our priority is to help you achieve a well-balanced, workable agreement that supports your family’s future.
Our collaborative family law services
Collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce involves a series of structured meetings where both parties and their solicitors work together to reach an agreement without going to court. Everyone commits to resolving matters constructively, so discussions can take place in a safe, respectful environment.
Our collaborative family solicitors will prepare you for each meeting so you feel confident and informed, support you in expressing your views clearly and calmly, help keep discussions focused on practical solutions rather than past disagreements, and, where helpful, work alongside other professionals such as counsellors or financial experts.
This approach is particularly beneficial for couples who want to preserve positive family relationships or maintain privacy throughout the separation process.
Financial settlements & asset division
Financial matters can feel particularly complex during a separation. The collaborative process encourages transparency and fairness, with both parties openly sharing financial information and working together to create a settlement that reflects long-term needs.
We can assist with the division of the family home and any other property, the valuation and distribution of savings, investments and pensions, as well as business or partnership interests, and the treatment of ongoing financial commitments and liabilities. We also have a specialist financial disputes team.
Child arrangements
Deciding how children will spend time with each parent is often one of the most sensitive aspects of separation. Collaborative law provides a supportive framework that keeps children at the heart of every discussion.
Our solicitors can help you agree on practical living arrangements, including residence, schedules for time spent with each parent, and how holidays, travel, education, health and wider wellbeing will be managed.
We encourage a forward-looking mindset, helping parents create arrangements that are realistic, flexible and genuinely supportive of their child’s needs.
Spousal maintenance and child maintenance
Maintenance discussions can feel personal and emotionally charged. Through the collaborative process, these issues can be approached with clarity and transparency, helping both parties understand what is fair in light of needs, income and responsibilities.
We advise on spousal maintenance following separation or divorce, child maintenance arrangements (including longer-term planning), and the factors that may influence future payments, as well as how maintenance interacts with other financial decisions. Our goal is always to help you reach an agreement that supports financial stability for everyone involved.
Frequently asked questions about collaborative family law
What is collaborative family law, and how does it differ from mediation?
Collaborative law involves each party instructing their own specially trained solicitor, and all discussions take place in joint meetings. Mediation uses an independent mediator to guide conversations. In collaborative law, your solicitor is present throughout to support and advise you, while mediation requires seeking separate legal advice outside the sessions.
What are the key benefits of using collaborative law over going to court?
Collaborative law is typically faster, more private and less adversarial than court proceedings. It allows you to maintain control over the outcome, reduce stress, protect family relationships, and work towards solutions that genuinely meet your needs rather than relying on a court-imposed decision.
What’s the typical cost of the collaborative law process in the UK?
Costs vary depending on the number of meetings required and the complexity of the issues involved. Generally, collaborative law is more cost-effective than court proceedings because it focuses on early resolution and cooperation. We can provide clear cost estimates at the outset of your case.
What happens if the collaborative law process fails and we can’t reach an agreement?
If either party decides to stop the process, both collaborative solicitors must withdraw from acting. New representation will be required if the matter proceeds to court. While this may feel like a disadvantage, it reinforces the commitment to reaching an agreement collaboratively wherever possible.
How long does a collaborative family law process usually take?
Many collaborative cases resolve within a few months, although the exact timeframe depends on the complexity of the issues and the availability of participants. Because meetings are scheduled around your needs, the process can move at a pace that feels comfortable yet efficient.
What is the role of the solicitors and other professionals in the collaborative process?
Your solicitor acts as your adviser, negotiator and guide, helping you communicate effectively and make informed decisions. Other professionals—such as financial advisers, pension specialists or family counsellors—may be invited to contribute when their expertise is needed to support a balanced agreement.
Contact our collaborative family law solicitors in Reading, Richmond, Staines and Tadley
For clear and practical advice on collaborative family law, contact our specialist team in Reading, Tadley, Staines, and Richmond. You can use our simple enquiry form or send an email to info-reading@rowberrymorris.co.uk. A member of our experienced family law team will respond promptly to help you begin the process with confidence.
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What Our Clients Say
“Stuart was extremely professional, putting together an agreement in place for me. It was administered from start to finish very swiftly, and resolved an issue at a very difficult time.”
“I can highly recommend Stuart Duncan. I was put in a terrible position by a previous solicitor and Stuart worked to get the very best outcome for me. Stuart is very calm, has a sense of humour and I had absolute faith in him.”
“Despite being involved late on in the dispute with my ex-husband regarding our financial order, Stuart understood the issues quickly. He even raised a big issue that had been overlooked previously which in the end was the difference between me winning rather than losing. I highly recommend him, particularly if you have tricky financial situation.”
“I recently used RM and must say how impressed I was with them. Mr Reynolds was remarkable, helping me with a personal matter. He navigated the case through court with real skill and knowhow, I can’t thank him enough.”
“Peter Reynolds was incredibly helpful throughout my case. Forever supportive, and extremely knowledgeable on family law. The level of professionalism I received from Rowberry Morris was of the highest quality from start to finish.”
“I used Rowberry Morris for my divorce and financial matters and it all got sorted well, with prompt advice and proactive involvement.”
“Stuart assisted me with a very complicated case concerning my children’s safety. I’m very grateful to say he secured a judgement that kept the children safe.
The case involved children’s services, the police public protection unit, analysis of a criminal conviction, and evidence from a probation officer and two forensic psychologists. We were 18 days in court and by the end the bundle was 2400 pages, all of which had been read, analyzed, and collated by Stuart.”
“Cannot thank Luke enough for his excellent service. Would definitely recommend.”
“Great professional service. Peter Reynolds was not only understanding of my case, but executed it with care and consideration of those close to me. Highly experienced family lawyer.”