Staffordshire Family Law Solicitors Limited

18/08/2026

PENSIONS ON DIVORCE : DO NOT OVERLOOK TOMORROW'S NEEDS WHEN ADDRESSING TODAY'S PRIORITIES

As family law specialists, we regularly see immediate housing needs take priority when couples negotiate a financial settlement on divorce.

Pension offsetting—where one person retains a greater share of non-pension assets, such as the family home, in exchange for giving up some or all of their claim against the other person’s pension—can appear attractive. It may provide stability and meet pressing housing needs, but its long-term effect must be considered carefully.

Pension Uk’s Retirement Living Standards help illustrate the importance of proper pension provision. Based on the research figures referred to, and assuming entitlement to the full UK State Pension, a single person may need a private pension pot of approximately:

🔹 £335,000 to £505,000 to achieve a “moderate” standard of living in retirement; and
🔹 £560,000 to £845,000 to achieve a “comfortable” standard of living in retirement.

These are estimates rather than fixed targets. The amount required will depend on individual circumstances, including retirement age, life expectancy, inflation, investment performance, housing costs and how pension benefits are accessed. Nevertheless, the figures demonstrate the potential long-term importance of pensions within a divorce settlement.

Offsetting may be appropriate in some cases. However, before giving up pension sharing to retain the family home or other assets, it is important to consider:

- likely income needs in retirement;
- whether there will be sufficient time and resources to rebuild pension provision;
- the tax treatment and accessibility of each asset;
- any valuable pension guarantees or other benefits;
- whether specialist pension or actuarial input is required; and
- the risk of becoming asset-rich but income-poor in later life.

Specialist family law advice is essential before agreeing how pensions should be treated on divorce. A family lawyer can explain the available options and their legal implications, as well as identify when advice from a pension expert or financial adviser may be needed.

A financial settlement should address not only immediate housing needs but also long-term financial security.

The family home may meet today’s needs—but a pension may be essential for tomorrow’s

The RLS are there to help people picture what lifestyle they expect in retirement and the costs associated with three different levels.

24/07/2026

We are delighted to welcome Jemima to Staffordshire Family Law. She joins us as a Personal Assistant within our Child Care Department, where she will be assisting our solicitors with the day-to-day management of their caseloads.

Her appointment comes at an exciting time for the firm, as our Care Department continues to grow and remains extremely busy. Jemima will be working alongside our established Care Department support, Becky, helping to ensure our team continues to provide an excellent level of service to clients.

Jemima brings with her a First Class Law Degree, a Masters in Psychology, and over 10 years’ experience in customer service and administration. She has a genuine passion for helping people and delivering a high standard of client care.

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22/07/2026

We are incredibly proud to have received a special shout-out from ReviewSolicitors after reaching 200 five-star reviews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For a specialist firm of our size, this is a fantastic achievement and one that reflects the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of every member of our team.

Every day, our solicitors and support staff come to work with one goal: to provide the very best service to our clients. We know that family law clients are often going through some of the most difficult and emotional periods of their lives. Guiding them with expertise, empathy, and determination, while achieving the best possible outcomes, is at the heart of everything we do.

While making a positive difference in our clients’ lives is the reason we do this job, receiving such wonderful feedback is the icing on the cake. Knowing that our clients have taken the time to share their experiences means the world to us.

Our mission has always been to be the leading specialist family law team in Staffordshire, and reaching this milestone is wonderful confirmation that we are on the right path.

A huge thank you to every client who has placed their trust in us and taken the time to leave a review. And, of course, thank you to our incredible team, whose hard work and commitment make achievements like this possible.

Here’s to the next milestone! 🎉

Staffordshire Family Law Solicitors Limited: 200 reviews and counting!

With a perfect 5.0/5⭐ rating, this milestone is a testament to their family law expertise and their commitment to providing a personal yet professional service.

👏 Congratulations to the entire team!

19/06/2026

Last week, our Child Care team had the opportunity to attend St Philip’s Chambers’ Public Law Conference, exploring the increasing importance of technology and artificial intelligence in public law proceedings.

For solicitors working in child protection, it is essential to stay informed about ways that digital evidence is used, and the adoption of new technologies within Legal Proceedings. Keeping up to date ensures we can continue to provide informed, effective representation and navigate the challenges and opportunities that new technology presents, while always keeping the welfare of children at the heart of our work.

Continuous learning and professional development are key to delivering the highest standard of legal advice, and we’re proud that our team is committed to staying ahead of developments in this ever-changing area of law.

16/06/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Gurpreet Singh to the SFL team!

Gurpreet joins us as a specialist Children Law Solicitor, bringing seven years’ experience representing families in both public and private children law matters. Joining us from a well-established East Midlands firm, he has built an excellent reputation for his approachable manner, clear advice and expertise in complex care proceedings. As an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Accreditation Scheme, Gurpreet is a fantastic addition to our growing Children Department, and we’re excited to have him on board.

We’re also celebrating a special milestone for Sydney Edwards, who marks five years with SFL this month. Since joining the firm in 2021, Sydney has progressed from paralegal to qualified solicitor, building a strong practice in both public and private children law while providing compassionate, practical support to families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Congratulations, Sydney, and thank you for your dedication to our clients and the firm.

Welcome to the team, Gurpreet—and congratulations, Sydney, on five fantastic years. Here’s to an exciting future for our Children Law team!

12/06/2026

THE UNSUNG HERO !

We often receive wonderful feedback from our clients about our talented specialist solicitors, and rightly so. However, behind every successful case is a dedicated team of support staff whose hard work makes it all possible.

Our support team works tirelessly behind the scenes, keeping files moving, supporting our fee earners, and helping us deliver the high level of service that we pride ourselves on. Their work is often carried out quietly and efficiently, but it is absolutely vital to everything we do.

That's why it's especially rewarding when we receive external feedback recognising the contribution of our support staff.
This week, we'd like to give a special shout-out to Becky Newton, Personal Assistant in our Care Department, who received some fantastic feedback.

Describing her as a “gem”, a guardian in one of our children cases has thanked her for all her hard work “Often the unsung hero but such an integral part…..I am grateful to you for all that you do.”

We are incredibly proud of the professionalism, dedication, and care she brings to her role every day.

Well done, Becky – and thank you to all of our support team for everything you do!

12/06/2026

This week, some of our management team had the pleasure of attending a fantastic Ladies Lunch at Weston Park.

It was a great opportunity to step away from the office, catch up with other local businesswomen, share experiences, and build new connections. Events like these are a reminder of how valuable it is to learn from and support one another in business.

A big thank you to Spotlight Accounting Limited for organising such a welcoming and enjoyable event.

We’re proud to be part of a business community that champions collaboration, growth, and supporting each other along the way. 💜

11/06/2026

Yesterday, our solicitor, Sydney Edwards, attended the Royal Courts of Justice in London, representing a parent in complex care proceedings and continuing to fight for a fair and just outcome.

The Royal Courts of Justice is one of the most significant legal institutions in the country, and appearing there reflects the seriousness and importance of the matters being heard.

We remain committed to providing dedicated legal representation and ensuring our clients’ voices are heard at every stage of the legal process.

10/06/2026

On 21 May 2026, the UK Government published a plan to improve Children’s Social Care, titled ‘Delivering the Children’s Social Care reset’.

The Implementation Plan for Children’s Social Care is a step in the right direction for well founded reforms in children’s social care. With a focus on earlier intervention and targeted support for greater family based care, the aim is to work with families for children to remain at home where it is safe to do so. This coupled with stronger safeguarding practices, and improved stability for children can only be in their best interests. This plan really does maintain the focus on ensuring that the best outcome is reached for children where social services become involved with families.

Please take a look our latest insight on this plan. https://sflsolicitors.co.uk/social-care/

26/05/2026

A huge congratulations to our MD, Fay Rothery on reaching a milestone 10-year anniversary with Staffordshire Family Law!

Her commitment, leadership, and passion have made a lasting impact on both our team and our clients.

We wouldn’t be where we are without you Fay – here’s to many more!