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Family Law Solicitors Guildford
Specialist Legal Support
When You Needs It Most

Dealing with a divorce or family crisis in Guildford? Shortlands Solicitors brings London’s leading family law expertise to your corner – from the moment you get in touch.

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  • 20+
    YEARS SERVING LONDON
  • 3
    Branches
  • SRA
    REGULATED & AUTHORISED

ABOUT Us

Shortlands Solicitors - London's Trusted Family Law Firm

For over 20 years, Shortlands Solicitors has been the firm that families, high-net-worth individuals, business owners and senior professionals turn to when their situation demands real legal expertise. Operating from our Hammersmith base in London, we handle the most complex divorce and separation cases – ones that involve substantial financial arrangements, contested business assets, pension entitlements and international structures. We are not a generalist practice. Every case we take on receives specialist attention, experienced judgment and a genuine commitment to achieving the outcome our clients deserve.

Our Services

Family Law Services for Guildford Clients

Divorce Solicitors

Expert legal guidance through divorce - protecting your rights, assets and future from day one.

Separation Agreements

Clear, binding agreements covering finances and children when you separate but are not yet divorcing.

Child Arrangements

Specialist support for residency, contact and parenting disputes - always with your children's welfare at heart.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

Legally sound agreements to protect your wealth and business before marriage or moving in together.

Financial Settlements

Skilled negotiation to secure a fair division of assets, pensions and finances - however complex your situation.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

Structured, confidential mediation to resolve family disputes without the cost and stress of court proceedings.

Will Writing

Professionally drafted wills to ensure your wishes are protected and your loved ones are provided for.

Inheritance Tax

Strategic estate planning to legitimately reduce your inheritance tax liability and protect what you have built.

Divorce

Divorce Solicitors Guildford - Don't Face This Alone

Divorce is rarely straightforward – and for those with significant assets, it rarely moves slowly either.

For those in and around Guildford navigating the end of a marriage, the financial consequences can be far-reaching and long-lasting. Business interests, pension assets, international finances and a spouse who may already be taking legal advice – these are the realities of high-net-worth divorce, and they require a firm with the depth and experience to handle every one of them. That is what Shortlands Solicitors brings.

We are experts in complex, high-value cases – including contested financial claims, business valuations, undisclosed asset investigations and pension fund disputes. We act with focus, discretion and a clear determination to achieve the outcome you are genuinely entitled to.

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DIVORCE MATTERS WE HANDLE

Understanding divorce the process

How the Divorce Process Works

A clear overview of the key stages in UK divorce under the current no-fault divorce laws.

01

Initial Consultation

We review your situation and explain your options clearly.

02

Application Submitted

Divorce application prepared and submitted to the court.

03

Conditional Order

Court confirms breakdown of marriage is satisfied.

04

Financial & Child Matters

Negotiations run in parallel - most settle without court.

05

Final Order

Divorce legally finalised. Your new chapter begins.

Typical timeline: 6–12 months depending on complexity of financial and child arrangements.

CHILD LAW

Child Arrangement Solicitors Guildford- Protecting Your Relationship with Your Children

A dispute over your children is one of the most painful things any parent can go through.

For families in and around Guildford facing broken contact arrangements, the threat of relocation or genuine welfare concerns about a child, Shortlands Solicitors provides specialist child law support built around your individual circumstances. We understand what is at stake – and we bring the full weight of our expertise to every case.

Our child law team has resolved hundreds of residence, contact and relocation disputes – including urgent international cases. We know when speed is essential and when a careful, strategic approach better serves the long-term interests of your children.

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Child Law MATTERS WE HANDLE

What our clients say about us

Thank you both for helping me through this sad process; you made it straightforward and much less painful than it could have been. I am of course relieved it is over. Excellent service, highly professional and humane.
Elena
I have found Shortlands an extremely professional and understanding firm. My solicitor Sian Whittaker has always explained proceedings in a manner that is easy to understand and the knowledge and advice given has always been supportive and invaluable. I feel that my work is being handled very professionally and they are very prompt with their replies to my questions. I would not therefore hesitate in recommending them.
Chief
During not only an extremely difficult time but also a complex divorce and settlement of finances, I found the staff at Shortlands to be extremely supportive and understanding. Shabana Walayat was in the main handling my case and I was always impressed by her quick grasp of the personalities involved and how she responded appropriately and effectively each time a particularly...
Sara Hayter
I have been in receipt of legal advice from Shortlands on a variety of matters for five years. This advice mainly concerned family law. Throughout this time, I have found the quality of the legal advice received to be strong. One matter did end up in court and Shortlands was able to appropriately defend my position with the court result going in my favor. In addition to the quality of the legal advice, Shortlands has a professional support team behind it. In summary, I do have genuine confidence in the firm both in terms of its legal advice and its service levels.
Nicholas Green
Dear Shortlands, A very big thank you for all your help regarding my case, brilliant service provided and I will be recommending your good name to all who seek legal representation.
Lee Kimberley
“I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks Shabana and her Team for their excellent work, professionalism and understanding, at a time when things were very stressful. I am grateful that my numerous phone calls and emails were always promptly replied to which was very much appreciated. I felt I had dedicated support and so much more. I would highly recommend Shortlands Solicitors and would definitely use them again in the future. Many, many thanks again for everything, you were brilliant”
Michelle Fernandez
Shortlands attorneys led by Shabana Walayat are the best and most cost effective lawyers you could ever ask for. My divorce and custody battle has been complicated, long with a complex international dimension. My previous lawyers had been incompetent in grappling the various components, but Shortlands have exceeded my expectations and together we have won a number of judgments. Not only are they great lawyers with intellect and understanding of case law, but they have taken my case as if it were their own. I would not hesitate to recommend them for complex international cases.
Andrew Darfoor
I would unreservedly recommend Shabana Walayat to anyone seeking help with childcare arrangements after separation/divorce or the matter of relocation. For what was a traumatic time in my life, Shabana gave me reassurance and handled my case with great expertise. I felt she was in charge of the situation throughout. She helped me gain a clear picture of the legal procedures and its terminology. Shabana and her team always responded to my requests quickly and kept me in the loop of the ongoing developments. Her approach to her work as a lawyer I experienced as both – compassionate and highly professional. And that I am truly thankful for.
Juliana Marx
I have found Shortlands a very approachable firm in dealing with my separation and divorce matters. They have been professional; respecting my point of view and providing the best advice on each situation. It has been very easy to communicate with them via email and on the phone. I certainly don’t think I would have been able to go through the process without their expertise and I am very happy to recommend them.
Ana Maria Serrano
When I first called Shortlands solicitors I was very scared and extremely upset. It was an incredibly distressing time for me, but after speaking to Shabana, from the very beginning she was very understanding and quick to listen to my concerns, give me the correct advice and guide me in a very difficult situation, she was very professional and easy to talk, she answered all the questions. She was fully engaged...
Flor Barsallo

How Can We Help?

Make an Enquiry

We understand that every case is different and has its own complexities. Our experts are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with tailored solutions which work for you.

Mediation MATTERS WE HANDLE

Mediation

Family Law Mediation Guildford- Find Resolution Without the Courtroom

When a family dispute can be resolved without going to court, that is almost always the better outcome.

For individuals and families in and around Guildford who want to work through financial or child-related disputes constructively, Shortlands Solicitors offers expert family mediation. Our mediators provide a structured, confidential setting where both parties can engage honestly – and where agreements that genuinely hold can be built.

Mediation typically resolves matters in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of court proceedings. It also protects the co-parenting relationship in a way that litigation rarely does. Our mediators bring professional neutrality and deep legal expertise to every session.

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Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors Guildford

Finalising a financial settlement after a divorce or separation is one of the most important legal steps you will take – and in a county like Surrey, where assets can be significant and varied, it deserves careful, expert handling. Our Guildford financial settlement solicitors look at your individual circumstances in full: assets, pensions, income, the needs of any children, contributions made, and accommodation requirements. There is no standard formula – the right settlement depends entirely on your case.

We always encourage resolution through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration, which keeps costs down and reduces conflict significantly. Where court is unavoidable, we are well prepared – working with valuers, forensic accountants, and other leading professionals to build the strongest possible case. From initial advice to final order, we are with you throughout. Speak to our Guildford team today.

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Financial Settlement MATTERS WE HANDLE
Speak With an Experienced
Family Solicitor Today

Complex circumstances require real expertise. Complete the form for a confidential consultation with one of our specialist family solicitors.

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02076299905

Coverage

Serving Guildford and
the Surrounding Areas

Shortlands Solicitors is based in Hammersmith, London, and we regularly advise clients from across the South East, including those in and around Guildford. Consultations ensure specialist advice is never out of reach.

Our Birmingham office serves the Midlands, and our Manchester team covers the North West – both delivering the same level of specialist family law support that our London clients rely on.

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Areas We Serve

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