Divorce Financial Settlements Solicitors in Milton Keynes

Q: Is it disloyal to seek a second opinion on my solicitor's advice?

Family law decisions can affect your finances and your family for years. You have every right to seek independent confirmation that the advice and proposals you are dealing with are sound before you commit to them.

Q: What documents should I bring to a second opinion meeting?

Relevant documents include any financial disclosure that has been exchanged, draft agreements or Consent Orders you have been asked to consider, correspondence from your solicitor or the other side, and any court documents if proceedings are under way. We will confirm exactly what to gather once you book.

Q: Can I get a second opinion even if I am in the middle of proceedings?

Yes. A second opinion consultation can take place at any stage, whether you are at the early advice stage, partway through negotiations, in mediation or a collaborative process, or already in court proceedings.

Q: What if the second opinion tells me my current advice is wrong?

If we identify a significant concern, we will explain it clearly and go through the options available to you. You would then need to decide whether to raise it with your current solicitor, seek further clarification, or consider instructing someone else. The decision is entirely yours.

Q: Do I have to change solicitors after a second opinion?

No. A second opinion does not commit you to anything. Many people seek a second opinion, find that their current advice is sound, and continue with their existing solicitor with greater confidence. Others decide to make a change. You are free to do whichever makes sense once you have the information.

Q: Can I get a second opinion on a settlement I have already agreed to?

If a settlement has been agreed but not yet recorded in a court order, you still have the ability to reconsider. If a Consent Order has already been made by the court, the grounds for undoing it are much more limited. We will advise on your options depending on exactly what stage the matter is at.

Q: How long does a second opinion consultation take?

Most second opinion consultations take a number of hours, depending on the complexity of the issues and the volume of material to review. We will confirm the estimated length and any preparation needed when you book.

Jump to: How We Can Help Why Us? What We Can Offer Our expertise Frequently Asked Questions

Family law solicitor providing independent second opinion advice to a client — Purcell Solicitors

“Pauline, Chantelle and team were very helpful and supportive during the whole process. They worked quickly and efficiently to achieve the final outcome of my divorce and closure of joint assets. The process, explainations and communication were very clear and concise which also helped keep costs manageable. I would highly recommend using Purcell for family and divorce legal matters.” – Review Solicitors

If you have concerns about the advice you have received in a family law matter and want an independent assessment of your position, our solicitors, with over 25 years of experience in family law, can help.

Family law decisions can have lasting consequences for your finances, your home, and your children. If you are unsure whether the advice you have received is right, or you have been presented with a settlement proposal and want to know whether it is fair before you sign anything, seeking a second opinion can be a sensible step.

A second opinion is not about undermining the Family Law Solicitor you are currently working with. We can review the documents and advice you have received, explain how the law applies to your situation, and give you an honest assessment of whether the approach being taken and any settlement on the table reflects what you are likely to achieve.

At Purcell Solicitors we offer second opinion consultations across a wide range of family law matters, serving clients in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, and the wider Thames Valley. Our team is ranked in Chambers and Partners for family and divorce law, and all of our solicitors are Resolution members, committed to helping you reach sensible, fair agreements in a non-confrontational manner.

If you are considering challenging or reconsidering a proposed financial settlement, our divorce financial settlement solicitors can advise on whether what is on the table reflects a fair outcome in law.

Why Us?

Why Choose Purcell Solicitors for a Second Opinion?

A meaningful second opinion requires genuine depth of knowledge and the confidence to tell you what you need to hear. Mandi Austin and Haidee French are both accredited specialists on the Law Society Family Law Panel. Pauline Purcell has over 30 years of experience across the full range of family law issues. We are a team who see complex cases regularly and can assess whether the advice or settlement you are looking at is sound.

If the advice you have received and the settlement on offer are fair, we will tell you so and explain why. If we see something that concerns us, we will explain that too, along with your options. The goal is to give you the information you need to make a decision you can stand behind.

What we can offer

Our Second Legal Opinion Services

We can provide a second opinion on the following:

A proposed financial settlement following divorce or separation, including whether the division of assets, pensions, and income reflects what the law is likely to produce.
The terms of any draft Consent Order you have been asked to sign, and whether it adequately protects your position.
Proposed arrangements for children.
The strategy your current solicitor is recommending and whether it reflects a realistic assessment of your position.
Whether you have been advised on all the options available to you, including non-court dispute resolution routes.
A cohabitation agreement, pre-nuptial agreement, or separation agreement you are considering signing.
The outcome of a mediation, collaborative law, or negotiation process and whether the agreement being proposed is one you should accept.
Court proceedings that are already under way, where you are unsure whether the case is being handled appropriately.

Our-Expertise

Who we are

Our core family law team is made up of

Pauline Purcell, Managing Director, Family Solicitor, Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer and Family Arbitrator, with over 30 years of experience.

Mandi Austin, Director, Family Law Solicitor, a member of Resolution and an accredited specialist on the Law Society Family Law Panel, with over 25 years of experience in family law as a qualified solicitor.

Lisa Buckridge, Director, Family Law Solicitor, Collaborative Lawyer, Family Mediation Council-accredited Mediator, and fully accredited in Child Inclusive Mediation, with over 20 years of experience in family law

Haidee French – Family Law Solicitor, a Member of Resolution and an accredited specialist on the Law Society Family Law Panel with over 12 years of experience in family law

Stephanie Dodman, Family Law Solicitor, member of Resolution.

Chantelle Pusey, Trainee Solicitor