


Family
Family Solicitors in Bath, Sherborne, Wells & Frome
Managing your family affairs is a deeply personal matter. Whether it is regulating your relationship, starting a family by way of surrogacy, or bringing your relationship to an end then we can offer you quality advice. We understand that any decisions you make will have ramifications for you and your wider family and will impact you for life.
Introducing our Family Team
Support and empathy throughout a difficult process
We will guide you through the process, supporting you in coming to terms with change, whilst supporting you through negotiations and the implementation of agreements. It is our commitment to ensure that our advice to you is provided with compassion and empathy, taking your personal circumstances into account. Additionally, we will not shy away from giving strong advice where needed, or tackling difficult issues without judgement.
Collaboration to help protect all the different areas of your life
The change in your personal circumstances will have an impact on other areas of your life. Whether you are employed, own your own business or have your own farm, we have the expertise to provide you with the advice you need to ensure these areas of your life are protected. We work collaboratively with our commercial and private client colleagues to ensure that you are provided with the best advice you need, when you are most vulnerable.
As a team, we have a breath of experience with a variety of specific individual areas of expertise. Whilst we are all different we share a common goal of ensuring that whatever advice you need we will handle your matters sensitively and provide you with the support you need. So whether you are seeking advice in relation to managing your relationship by way of a pre/post nuptial agreement, seeking to end your relationship whether married or not, or have issues in relation your children you will find us “On your side, by your side”.
Our family solicitors can advise on a range of family legal issues, including:
- Children
A separation or divorce can be a traumatic experience for all parties involved. When it comes to child custody, we aim to protect the people who matter most. Find out more. - Cohabitation
Unfortunately cohabiting couples do not share the same legal rights as married or civil partnered couples. Our solicitors, therefore, help you understand your rights when it comes to cohabitation agreements and also disputes. Find out more. - Collaborative law
A collaborative law approach is often favoured to avoid going to court, which can often be costly and lengthy. Our trained solicitors can assist with negotiations to help you and the other party mutually agree a way forward. Find out more. - Separation and divorce
Separating and divorce is often a stressful process. Our aim is to prevent the process from becoming drawn-out by arriving at a mutually agreeable compromise as early as possible. Find out more. - Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is often complex, difficult and you may be worried about the safety of you or your family. Our family team will handle all these challenges sensitively and with understanding with the aim to help protect you and your loved ones. Find out more. - Financial resolution during separation and divorce
Early agreement on financial issues can help reduce the emotional impact on separating parties and children. Our family solicitors, therefore, aim to reach agreement on finances, properties and other assets as early as possible. Find out more. - Mediation
Meeting a trained mediator can help you and a family member (often a partner) work out any issues you have not been able to resolve together. Find out more. - Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
During the early stages of a relationship, you may need to safe guard your assets and liabilities in the event of a relationship break down. Our solicitors can help with drafting pre and postnuptial agreements should they be required. Find out more. - Surrogacy and fertility law
Surrogacy and fertility law is a complex area. Our family team can advise you clearly on all your options and the best route to parenthood. Find out more.
The family team are ranked in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500:
Compact and experienced team which regularly acts for high net worth individuals across the South West, including cases with international elements. Highly thought of for its work on financial remedy matters together with related tax and pension issues. Also handles private law children matters, including child and parental alienation cases, and offers advice on cohabitation disputes.
Chambers & Partners 2020
Rebecca Silcock heads the practice and has experience in the legal ramifications of divorce and relationship breakdown on financial matters ranging from family trusts and inherited wealth to commercial ventures and family businesses.
Legal 500 2020
Next steps
If you require legal advice on a family matter, please get in touch with our family team for a no obligations conversation, or alternatively make an appointment to meet with a member of our team. You can speak to us on 0800 533 5349 or reach us on email at enquiries@mogersdrewett.com.
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What our clients say
I now understand the importance of good representation. I know I have received the highest level of service and excellent value for money. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services to others in the future.
Family ClientThank you again for your continued outstanding service & client care. Every time you are involved things are that little bit easier.
Residential ClientIt has been a pleasure dealing with you, from the Switchboard to the Partners and I look forward to working with you again.
Private ClientMany thanks, I wish all lawyers were as good as you.
Litigation ClientAs we have discussed many times recently the market is very limited and it takes considerable effort and tenacity to see these deals through on behalf of our clients. We are very grateful to you and your team.
Manager Bath Estate AgencyIt is easy to feel intimidated, initially, by such a large and impressive business as yours, but my recollection is that every single person I spoke with from day one has been friendly, approachable and respectful. What a difference that has made.
Family ClientYou are great at what you do combining just the right amount of personal and professionalism which brings about total confidence in me as your client.
Family ClientJust a note to let you know how impressed we have been from start to finish. Highly professional, flexible, helpful and personable. It’s a pleasure to work with you.
Darren & EmmaI just wanted to say a big thank you for your help over the past twelve months. It’s been a very difficult time and a huge relief to be able to finally put this behind me & start a fresh.
Family ClientYou were recommended to me by a friend. From the first interaction with you, I was put at ease. You seemed to have an intuitive sense of my wishes with regard to the case. The correspondence was always prompt and clear. I am so glad I found you!
Family ClientWe needed quick action over the Christmas period, and you performed impeccably. Your staff are friendly, competent and above all quick to communicate over email so that no time was wasted. We'd have no hesitation in using you again.
Bill & JoannaTom Chiffers, Gemma Harwood and Matthew Dunford between them have assisted me with the resulting winding up of estates and probate process, the sale of two properties and purchase of another, and finally the making of my own will.In short I have been so impressed with the efficiency, professionalism and attention to legal detail demonstrated by Tom, Gemma and Matthew.They have made a very difficult and stressful process much much easier and are great representatives for your firm.
Rachel Hughes-GoodchildThe service we received was fantastic. You kept us informed throughout and provided advice when needed, which was particularly helpful. Emily has even recommended you to a colleague of hers.
Matt & EmilyYou have a broad portfolio of legal expertise which is all available under one roof, and we felt confident in your ability to represent our interests in a very ‘easy to use’, professional, pro-active and flexible manner. Framptons Transport Services have no hesitation in recommending you.
Paul Frampton Framptons Transport ServicesYou really did make a very big difference to each of us and helped with the process in a professional but understanding/caring way.
Family ClientOver the past year I have had cause to use the services of Mogers Drewett in respect of the death of both of my parents.Whilst my Father's death was anticipated, my Mother's was very unexpected. Tom Chiffers visited her in hospital to reassure her that her affairs were all in order and I know that she felt great faith in him.I send sincere gratitude for the excellent representation and will have no hesitation in recommending Mogers Drewett to others.
Rachel Hughes-GoodchildMogers have greatly assisted with the development and progression of our business. Their knowledge and experience have assisted greatly not only from our business perspective, but from our client's with regard to the delivery speed and cost of our product offerings. The personnel, both within the commercial and property departments have always worked with the up-most efficiency, providing quick and accurate responses whilst always taking into account our commercial position. A pleasure to work with.
Global asset management companyMay I take this opportunity to thank you, Andrea for your thorough and helpful service – for which my wife and I are very grateful
Residential ClientThank you for all your help with the conveyancing. It was a very stress free process and we are very grateful for your time and effort in helping us purchase our new family home.
Annie & JulianPeter, Guy and I would like to say how grateful we are for all you have done with our selling and buying. We will recommend you to anyone we hear is buying or selling a house as we know no stone will be left unturned.
Residential ClientMany thanks for your invitation to drinks and canapés at Sherborne Castle. It was a lovely evening and good to meet members of staff from your various branches and in future to be able to put a face to a name. Thank you again
Mr & Mrs BerrymanMy wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Mogers Drewett drinks party on Wednesday evening . You attracted a good mix of professionals and loyal clients proving that the amalgamation will receive strong support from the indigenous regional population. Thank you for inviting us and I will look forward to more business with your firm
MarkI found your advice very informative and extremely helpful. You are the first solicitor I have spoken with who really understood my situation from all angles re property in joint and sole names and the company position. Thank you
Family ClientThe last ten months, as for anyone who has been through a bereavement, has not been easy and has been an eye opener as to how much we collect, and the paperwork we keep, just in case we should need it, sometimes when the account or case is closed.But, I think I can speak for both of us, when I say it was so much easier having both Gemma & Matt along giving help, advice and support when it was most needed.We did appreciate the very quick response you gave with emails and letters etc, and the professional and prompt manner in which you dealt with our business.We will of course, not hesitate to recommend Mogers Drewett to others.
Private ClientIt has been a difficult 18 months, with my father falling ill and subsequent death in December. Selling my parent’s home and dealing with my father’s estate was not easy and at times very emotive. You have made it easy and straightforward and I really appreciate all you have done. I shall certainly recommend your firm to friends in Somerset
Miss S L Jones, Winchester, HampshireI'd would like to take this opportunity to thank you Matt for his work during our house purchase. We were somewhat in the dark as to how a lot of this worked and you did a really great job of keeping us up to speed! We can't wait to finally get the keys and be in on Monday. Certainly if any of our friends require similar conveyance services in the future we'll be sure to recommend you and Mogers Drewett.
Residential Property ClientThank you very much for you and your team's excellent work and professionalism, in handling and progressing the sale, which has all gone very smoothly. It is much appreciated and I am very pleased that I have received really excellent service from Mogers Drewett from Margaret, Megan and also previously from Zena and Corinna in the other matters of Power of Attorney and Deputyship. This is obviously why my parents used your services when they were able to deal with their own affairs.
Mr & Mrs BryneI would like to thank you for your assistance during my recent house purchase. Margaret made the whole transaction easy to follow and stress free, I will be singing your praises to my friends and colleagues.
Mr Clive HandfordI just wanted to say a huge thank you for your help and advice yesterday. I know it's your profession but I feel pretty confident having you on my team .
John Kennedy Oyster Property LimitedNow I am safely inside the new house I would like to thank you for your exemplary handling of the conveyancing for the purchase of Pinkwood. I will have no hesitation in recommending you wholeheartedly to anyone looking for such a service in future. As discussed a few weeks ago, I will likely be in touch in the next few months when my partner looks to buy into the house so that we can get her name on the deeds.
Residential ClientJust a note of thanks - we really appreciated your calm clear head and tremendous patience and forbearance. We are sorry it has been unnecessarily fraught at time, but we have admired your persistence and quick thinking. You have shown yourself to be very good at what you do, and we see it and are very grateful for it.
Agriculture ClientI just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all your help with our move. You were absolutely fantastic at dealing with all the many, many problems and delays!
Residential ClientJust a brief, belated, note to say thank you for all your help in sorting out the administration of my late Mother's estate. It is a great relief to know this matter is now settled and without your efficient handling of the matter I'm sure would have taken many months more.
Private ClientOn behalf of my family I would like to thank you for the tremendous work you did in securing Probate so rapidly. It was certainly a close run thing as we exchanged yesterday and today was the final day before the buyer would have had to inform his mortgage providers that there may be a delay so a huge sigh of relief by all.
Private ClientThank you so much for letting me know and thank you so much for all your help with this purchase. You were amazing and brilliant at dealing with everyone.
Residential ClientThank you so much for all your work regarding Vale View, it is greatly appreciated. It has not been the best of years and you have really helped make it so much easier than it could have been and for that I am very grateful.
Residential ClientI would like to thank you for all your hard work sensitivity and support over the past months. Thank you for the chats, tea and at times laughter in what has been an emotional period - much appreciated.
Private ClientThank you so much for your work on getting our house done.Your knowledge, professionalism, sanity and humour have been greatly appreciated in some pretty stressful and trying conditionsTHANK YOU!
Residential ClientMy thanks to pam and Rory for your prompt and efficient handling of my mother's estate.
Private ClientThank you so much for the extremely prompt transfer! First Direct were impressed as well!
Private ClientMay I take the opportunity to thank you for your services, which were superb, I thought your response times were brilliant and I would take pleasure in recommending you and your Firm to anyone. Best wishes
Residential ClientIf you want a specialist solicitor in this area, that's Jonathan. He's a very decent chap and a long-standing agriculture specialist. He's very good.
Agricultural ClientSean has great breadth of knowledge.
Employment ClientRebecca Silcock is one of the most meticulous and detailed family lawyers that I ever deal with.
Family ClientMaeve is absolutely fantastic - she's grounded and you can trust your case is in good hands, she always knows the facts.
Dispute Resolution ClientDavid has very good interpersonal skills and puts lay clients at ease.
Private ClientThank you for the extra mile that you and your colleagues went and the patience shown. I know there was the odd bump in the road but it has all ended well and we all hugely appreciate the work you put in to get this over the line.
Residential ClientVictoria was absolutely fantastic! From day one she made every effort to understand my needs and strived to achieve the best possible outcome for me and my son. She listened and gave excellent advice in any matter; nothing was too small or too much for her.
FamilyHer quick responses and communication via email were reassuring and allowed me to focus on my divorce in my own time without it interfering with my job. I hope I never have to recommend a solicitor for divorce to anyone, but if I did I wouldn't hesitate in putting Victoria's name forward.
FamilyI just wanted to drop a note to say how impressed we are with Kate Norris, and everything Kate is doing for my father’s elderly cousin. Her affairs are particularly complicated as - until she was widowed three years ago - she lived much of her life in America. There is the further complication that she is currently in Bridgemead after a fall last summer, though hoping to be home soon. Through all this Kate has been such a support - wading through the complicated transatlantic paper work, ironing out all the snags, rationalising her affairs, being a regular visitor, and all in all being a great comfort to her. Bravo Mogers! Kate is a true gem.
Private ClientThank you for all your hard work Emma. Your help made the whole Will procedure quite effortless even in this unusual situation of lockdown.
Private ClientWith the pandemic just starting out, we as a business had a very difficult situation to manage, with regards to the safety of our staff and clients alike and also a financial decision to make as our business was not able to operate on its normal platform. A trusted colleague suggested we contact Mogers Drewett to ensure that any decision we made would be legally correct. We were met with empathy for the situation that we were in and also offered great advise with what was a rapidly changing situation for people and businesses alike, and with no real precedence to follow. We had great advice from Sean and Lucy and all dealt with very efficiently by Annie. Communication was great throughout and ultimately led us to be able to make the correct decision for our needs and also backed up with all the legal jargon we just couldn’t have possibly known. I would not hesitate to recommend Mogers to anyone I come into contact with in the future and will undoubtedly do business with them again.
Gary Day GEM SolutionsI asked you at the beginning for three things, to keep my house, so that I could keep a home for my family, to get the best deal and to ensure that when it’s done there would be no way of coming back to get any more from me. You delivered on all three counts. A bottle of champagne will be opened this evening & a toast to you will be made.
Family ClientThank you, Thank you, THANK YOU, for all you have done for me Rebecca, your council & calm demeanour have been my rock though out what was a very traumatic divorce. Social distancing aside if you were standing in front of me I would give you a hug!
Family ClientThank you so much for putting up with us and for getting the job done in exceptionally testing circumstances. I can’t thank you enough for the human face you put on whilst dealing with us and the sense of humour and… tolerance! We are a fairly eclectic mix in our family and I think you managed brilliantly to say the least!When this ridiculousness has ebbed away into an unpleasant memory I shall look forward to saying “thank you" in person, shaking your hand and perhaps buying you a drink.
Private ClientI would like to personally thank you, as losing my second Mother seven months after my Mother it was a very difficult time for me personally. The very personable way in which you have approached everything has made the whole process much easier to deal with. Thank you Emma
Private ClientJust wanted to email to thank you both in helping our move go as smoothly as possible. You have been so helpful and we wouldn't hesitate in using Mogers Drewett again and recommending to family and friends.
Residential ClientI just wanted to thank you Emma for your kind and compassionate way you have dealt with everything. It was a difficult time for me and I feel you made the whole process of the Estate that much more bearable ....so Thank You.
Private ClientYour communication through lockdown was very impressive which they were grateful for - Thank you
Bath Estate AgentWe would like to thank you for your professional handling of the completion sale of our house yesterday. Your communications with us were very easy to understand and we have been very happy with the efficient service that we received.
Residential ClientDifficult transacting in a pandemic, you have always been calm, level headed and responsive. A pleasure to deal with. Thank you
Residential ClientIn my experience it’s relatively rare to find a solicitor who is not only concerned with making sure they don’t run up unnecessary costs for their client, but is also concerned with the impact of the proceedings on the family once the legal teams have all long departed. What particularly impressed me is that while that was your concern, you were not simply seeking to avoid litigation, and you put a tremendous amount of time and effort into taking detailed attendance notes and ensured the client fully understood their options.
A barristerFollowing on from our emails and a visit to your office, I just wanted to thank Victoria Lewis for her assistance. If we have anything else in the future which you can help us with, I will not hesitate to contact you. Thank you
Corporate Commercial ClientWe always felt that Emma was fighting our corner, especially when Help to Buy were being rather difficult to deal with and missed our original completion date. Even though it was Help To Buy’s mess up Emma tried everything possible to get the job done.
Residential ClientFinally Helen and I would like to thank you for your efforts in putting our long overdue affairs in order. You have made it very easy for us and we really appreciate not only your professionalism but also human touch.
Private ClientI'd like to thank you at this point for all you did at what was a difficult and stressful time for us. T took a great liking to you and enjoyed your time together. After your last visit to him he said contentedly "Kat knows all about our family now, she really understands us." I very much appreciated the clear way you explained things to him without ever talking down to him or removing his dignity. Having reached the age of 98 this was so important.
Private ClientThank you so much for all the work you have done on the purchase of my new house in Corsham. I am really delighted and excited with it and am seriously considering moving in myself in early Spring and putting my cottage on the market. All seems to have gone thru very quickly and efficiently under very difficult circumstances.
Residential ClientWe are both very happy with the attention to detail, level of service and responsiveness you have provided for the purchase of our house. I will definitely recommend Mogers Drewett to friends in the future.
Residential ClientYour professional approach, attention to detail and friendly manner has been very much appreciated. You have at all times kept us fully informed and we are aware that the whole process has not been easy. It has been a pleasure to have dealt with you and would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who needed your legal services.We could not have wished for anyone better than you to conduct our affairs in this matter and are so very grateful to you for all you have done.
Residential ClientI just want to let you know that Kat has been brilliant on this file, I think the chain would have collapsed it is wasn’t for her perseverance chasing the Probate Registry!
Private ClientI would like to say thank you so much for your support with my Uncle I do not know what I would be doing without you, you truly are my lifeline and it means so much.
Later Life Support TeamKat was very helpful with every question I had, and expertly guided me through the process of completing my Powers of Attorney. She also was very patient when due to my busy schedule, combined with lockdown, it took much longer to complete this than we had hoped.
Private ClientIt has been - and continues to be - a tricky year for many people but knowing that you are on the case and going to bat for our family in all matters legal, makes for a great weight off our minds. Thank you Gemma
Private ClientI would like to place on record my grateful thanks to you for all your hard work in the successful completion our Wills and Power of Attorney (I know the court has to complete), but all the hard work has been completed. It has as always been a pleasure to speak and meet with you and we are most grateful for your wise counsel and advice. We would never consider going to anyone else for our legal requirements.
Private ClientI am so appreciative of the way you have helped us all through the process, it was good to know that you were always on the end of the phone so I could talk things through with you.
Private ClientI will always be grateful for the way you helped and always went the extra mile for her. And you were a very good friend to mum.
Later Life Support TeamA company sale may be the most critical legal transaction an owner may do in their lifetime and yet one that will be unfamiliar to those who have not done it before, with many potential pitfalls. Mogers Drewett guided us through ours very well, providing great advice and being there when we needed it. We are indebted to Mogers Drewett for the work done, the friendly, but professional approach and would gladly recommend them to anyone in the same situation.
Corporate Commercial ClientThank you so much for your efficient, diligent and hard work when dealing with my step mothers affairs. J said that you were a pleasure to work with.
Private ClientWe would like to thank you and your colleagues for your excellent service which cannot have been easy under the difficult circumstances in which we are all working. Despite the pressure the service has always been friendly and helpful. Thank you once again and until the next time
Residential Property ClientIn a world of complaints about nearly every residential property team from anyone who has bought or sold, it was a breath of fresh air to deal with Alison and her team. So much so that my family has immediately instructed MD on another transaction. The package of documents we received was also the most comprehensive I have ever seen and gave us the reassurance we needed when buying a property. If you want to remove a significant source of stress from your buying or selling, look no further.
Residential Property ClientAlison was brilliant. I boast about her to everyone else who moaned about theirs when buying or selling a property!
Residential Property ClientI just wanted to take a quick moment to write to say how impressed and pleased we were with Shazad during our purchase. This was not an easy purchase, and the mortgage company's solicitor were really unhelpful and required a lot of extra attention and hand-holding to get the whole thing over the line, but Shazad really went over and above in every duty, I couldn’t fault him. And he was also really engaging and friendly to boot! Thank you and all the team so much for all of your help, it is much appreciated.
Residential Property Client