We sat down with Sally Tarlton-Weatherall, Associate Solicitor and Family Law specialist from Redkite Solicitors.
- You specialise in Family Law, tell us how you got in to it?
I qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and have specialised in Family Law since that time. I am a member of Resolution, an organisation for family lawyers who promote a conciliatory approach to dealing with family legal disputes. I am recognised for my specialism in family law matters by Resolution and am a Resolution Accredited Specialist. I love helping people and problem solving which is what lead me to a career in the law.
- How do you help your clients?
I pride myself on offering a friendly, supportive, yet pragmatic approach to my clients. Clients tell me that their first meeting with a lawyer is generally a daunting prospect but on meeting me they tell me that they do not know what they were worried about. I am conscious to actively manage a case to ensure progress and a conclusion in an efficient, cost effective way which I think clients appreciate.
- What area of law you are passionate about?
I deal with all aspects of Family Law, to include Divorce, related financial matters, child disputes and disputes between cohabitants. I deal with my own advocacy, sometimes assisted by an expert barrister where this is in the best interests of the client. I most enjoy working on financial matters on marriage breakdown. I enjoy the complexities of such cases, to include collating evidence of the assets, advising clients on settlement and thereafter negotiating settlement.
4. What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to get their affairs in order when buying or selling a house?
Firstly I appreciate that it is generally a very difficult, potentially traumatic life event to experience a marriage/ relationship breakdown however in my view it is vital that parties seek independent legal advice as soon as possible when faced with this. To do so would enable parties to form a view on what needs to be done and in what order. It is not advisable from a legal perspective to fail to tackle the issues as they arise. I have seen a lot of cases where the parties have not dealt with the issues arising from the breakdown the marriage, they have gone on to improve their financial position only to then be advised that financial claims between them are wide open and if the parties are married, all assets are ‘up for grabs’. The significance of terminating financial claims between spouses by an order of the Family Court (‘a clean break order’) should not be under estimated or overlooked.
- What interests do you have outside or work/ Or tell us something interesting about yourself?
Despite practising in Family Law for almost 20 years I have not always worked in legal services. After completing my Law Degree I took a break from the law and worked in the fashion industry for a number of years. Despite a visit to Men’s Fashion Week in Paris trips to fabric mills in Italy and I was drawn back into the law and have never regretted this.
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