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Published: 15th May 2024
The process of becoming a parent through surrogacy involves complex legal considerations and terminology. There are two main methods for conception: In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Artificial Insemination.
Surrogacy can be traditional, where the surrogate's eggs are used, or gestational, where the surrogate carries the genetic mother's material. UK law states that the legal mother of a baby born via surrogacy is the one who gives birth, regardless of genetic connection. If the surrogate is married, their spouse will be considered the legal parent. If the surrogate is not married, the intended father can become the legal father, and the surrogate can elect another person to be registered as the second parent.
Published: 13th May 2024
Deciding to end a marriage is a difficult choice for most people. The initial steps are often the most challenging, and it can be a painful and unsettling process. Even if a couple has been separated for a while, it can be upsetting to start the official process. To begin your divorce journey, it's essential to know what to expect, plan a suitable path forward, and seek professional support.
Published: 18th April 2024
KJ Smith Solicitors has established an Emerging Leaders programme in 2022 to foster a culture of excellence and innovation. The two-year programme aims to fast-track individuals and provide them with the necessary skills and resources to transition from Emerging Leaders to Leaders, successfully leading a team and running their office.
The programme identifies and nurtures future leaders, providing support, training, and mentorship to help each leader excel and reach new heights in their career. Every Emerging Leader has a unique journey, and Beth Pettifer is an Associate Solicitor who was made an Emerging Leader in 2023 after being trained as a future leader without knowing it. Now on the programme, she meets with other Emerging Leaders to brainstorm, share ideas, and improve their offices. The goal is for Beth to graduate as a Leader and officially head up the Woodley office. Robyn Bowyer is a Partner and Head of the Southampton office, who graduated from the Emerging Leader programme in 2023 and now manages a team of three. Both Leaders and Emerging Leaders meet every quarter at an off-site training day to develop their leadership skills and discuss company updates. The Emerging Leaders programme provides the necessary support to develop and grow as a leader, according to Associate Solicitor Beth Pettifer.
Published: 25th March 2024
More people are choosing to become parents via surrogacy than ever before. Eleanor Tanner, Associate Solicitor at K J Smith, explains why it’s so important to seek legal advice when embarking on a surrogacy journey.
Published: 21st February 2024
It has been four years since we opened in Newbury, Berkshire, and this February heralds a new chapter for the team – led by Associate Solicitor and Emerging Leader, Ed Morton – as they move to new premises within the town.
Published: 17th January 2024
A Solicitor at K J Smith’s Oxford office, Kate Evans shares her journey into law, her passion for supporting clients and what a typical day looks like as a family law solicitor.
Published: 14th December 2023
Christmas is a time for family, but for newly separated parents this takes on a whole new meaning. For parents who are in the process of separation, Christmas can conjure up feelings of dread, sadness and even guilt as they experience a new family dynamic. From coping with the changes to the family unit to finding new traditions and maintaining the magic, the first Christmas as a single parent can be extremely challenging.
Here, Sofie Corbin, Senior Chartered Legal Executive at K J Smith, offers her tips on how to navigate Christmas as a newly single parent and ways to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
Published: 29th November 2023
When Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin announced they were ‘consciously uncoupling’ back in 2014, it was met with mockery from the media. Fast forward to 2023 and it appears amicable divorces are on the rise.
Published: 22nd September 2023
Lydia Anson, a paralegal at K J Smith’s Southampton office, talks us through her experience so far.
Published: 27th April 2020
The UK has finally taken the steps to formally leave the EU, however with the world currently fighting a pandemic due to Covid-19, it’s easy to forget the elephant in the room.
Published: 31st March 2020
If you are a separated family, a pandemic and a nation-wide lockdown is the last thing anyone would wish for and many families may be wondering exactly how they spend time with their children and co-parent effectively, without causing unnecessary panic and stress.
Published: 16th March 2020
It’s been widely acknowledged that Brexit will have major implications for both the UK and Europe and so far, family law appears to have flown largely under the radar, but Brexit has the potential to lead to major changes in this area and they may not be at all welcomed.
Published: 25th February 2020
We look at the role technology and social media plays in domestic abuse and what you can do to protect yourself.
Published: 13th December 2019
Perhaps it is less true that relationships are changing and more true to say that people and the law are becoming more open about realities such as cohabitation, divorce, civil partnerships and the need for fostering and adoption.
Published: 19th September 2019
A divorce is often a very difficult time for everybody involved; however, when there are children involved, they have to be the main priority. Co-parenting is a must following your divorce, yet you may well have your reservations about doing so, based on several different factors.
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All our offices are easily accessible by road, rail or bus and we are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm.
Not sure which office is closest to you? Try our Office Finder.
If you would like to visit our team of family solicitors, we have offices in Henley-on-Thames (Head Office) Reading, Basingstoke, Guildford, Beaconsfield, Ascot, Oxford, Newbury & Winchester, St Albans, and Southampton. We serve a wide range of other areas including Abingdon, Bracknell, Gerrards Cross, Maidenhead, Marlow, Reading (central), Slough, High Wycombe and Wokingham.
Why not contact our team of divorce solicitors for a free initial consultation today? We offer a free initial consultation that can take place in any one of our offices or over the telephone.
We are proud to have represented many excellent clients. Below are some comments our clients have made about us.
We are always looking for exceptional people to join our team.
Whether you are considering a move now or at some point in the future, we would love to hear from you and learn more about your career goals and motivations.
At K J Smith we pride ourselves on our commitment to offering support, guidance and career development across all roles. You will receive a competitive salary along with a comprehensive range of benefits.
Partner at our Ascot office
"I joined K J Smith with an open mind and with the expectation of developing and adding diversity and challenge to my career, having spent 23 years in a comfortable position with a traditional high street practice.
I can honestly say that K J Smith have exceeded my expectations. Since joining, I have felt supported and encouraged by the firm’s continued commitment to growth and improvement. The company allow staff at all levels to have a voice and recognise the importance of investment in their employees at every level."
