Michelle Bettell

Consultant Chartered Legal Executive – Family Law & Family Mediation

About Michelle

Michelle is a Consultant Chartered Legal Executive and a consultant specialising in Family Law and Family Mediation. Michelle has practised as a family lawyer since 2005 and has gained an excellent reputation for expert legal guidance on all types of family matters, from cohabitation agreements, pre- and post-nuptial, and all matters relating to separating, including divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, injunction proceedings, cohabitation, financial settlements, and children disputes.

Michelle is always determined to find the best solutions for her clients and to help families navigate a positive path forward into the future. Michelle is approachable, tenacious, and listens to what is important to her clients to work toward the best possible outcome. Michelle recognises that every family is different, and each individual is embarking on their own journey to the next chapter of their lives.

Michelle has undertaken a specialist two-part accreditation in Child Law (Private) and Cohabitation and TLATA from the trusted industry body, Resolution. The Resolution   ‘Lawyers Accreditation’  scheme is designed to recognise and award Resolution members who have demonstrated excellence in the areas in which they specialise. Resolution describes its accredited specialists as ‘highly competent’ and the qualification itself as ‘a mark of excellence in practice which is recognised by the public, Resolution members, the judiciary and the Legal Aid Agency and demonstrates the outstanding level of skills and expertise of the members who achieve accreditation.’.

Michelle is an accredited family mediator dealing with all family disputes for married and unmarried couples. Michelle also offers ‘child in mediation’ in respect of which she is particularly passionate, ensuring that, in the right circumstances, the young people of the family can be given the opportunity to have a voice.

Michelle is passionate about family mediation, which helps separating couples to reach their own decisions without handing over the decision-making to a judge, saving costs financially and emotionally. Within mediation, it may be necessary for extra support to be included by way of Lawyer attendance and/or other third-party attendance, such as financial neutrals/advisers. Michelle will listen and will ensure to guide you along the path that best suits you.

Away from the office, Michelle is a proud footy mum to 2 boys, and if you don’t see Michelle on various football fields around the country, then you will certainly hear her shouting words of encouragement. As she does within her work life, Michelle loves to get stuck in outside of work too, staying active with her boys, 2 dogs and hubby although to relax, Michelle loves to exercise (mainly to Joe Wicks) before then sitting down of an evening to watch TV and when there is no football on (which is rare in the Bettell household) Michelle loves to watch a bit of romance!

Legal Specialisms

• Mediation – Michelle is accredited by the Family Mediation Council to help families work out arrangements for children and finances following separation. Michelle is also able to offer MIAMs (Mediation Information Assessment Meetings).

• Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnerships – Michelle can advise on all aspects, processes, together with the subsequent impact on other arrangements, such as financials.

• Child disputes – Michelle is a Resolution-accredited specialist in private child law and advises on all aspects to include Parental Responsibility, child arrangements, and options available to ensure outcomes are child-focused.

• Cohabitees - Michelle is a Resolution-accredited specialist in cohabitation and TLATA (Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996). Michelle advises on financial matters and child arrangements to be considered following a separation from an unmarried partner, also advising on protection options should you wish to preserve assets upon embarking on a cohabitation.

• Financial settlements – Michelle advises on all financial issues in contemplation of or following a separation from a spouse/civil partner. Michelle advises on all aspects to include property, pension, capital division, together with maintenance, both child and spousal.
  
  

Legal Expertise in Practice

• Children Case – Advising within proceedings, issued prior to instruction, on proper strategy following significant welfare issues having been raised, these involving controlling and coercive behaviours of the mother, mental health issues, and alcohol use. The outcome was favourable to the father, ensuring the welfare of the children.

• Finance Case – Advising in respect of division of assets to include multiple properties, investments, and pension provision, achieving a clean break with the needs of the parties, most importantly the needs of the children, having been met.

• Cohabitation Case – Advising in respect of strategy following a separation, the parties having purchased several properties in respect of which declaration of trust documents had been executed at the time of purchase, further dealings then taking place contrary to the terms of the trust. Considering and advising as to options moving forward, the outcome is a greater share for my client than the trust documents provided.

• Mediation Case – Assisting a family, initially working with the husband and wife, considering the arrangements for the children, who, due to their ages, spoke with Michelle to ensure they had a voice in the arrangements their parents were considering making. There were also financial arrangements to be worked through to include pension provision, in respect of which it was considered necessary to invite a pension expert to ensure full understanding of all options moving forward. The outcome was that the parties were able to maintain control of the decision-making for their family, agreeing on all issues, thereby saving themselves unnecessary stress and considerable costs.
  
  

Related Services

Family Law & Family Mediation >

Call Michelle: 01202 156240

Email Michelle: m.bettell@woodstocklegalservices.co.uk