Andrew Isaacs Law’s Leighton Buzzard office is at Market House on Market Square, in the centre of town. It is run by Gemma Lee, Associate Family Law Solicitor, who grew up in Leighton Buzzard and advises families here and across South Bedfordshire on divorce, financial settlements, children and nuptial agreements.
Gemma has a great wealth of experience in dealing with Family Law matters, such as divorce, high net-worth financial settlements, cohabitation and separation matters, as well as, child arrangements. Gemma is dedicated to providing compassionate and transparent guidance to ensure her clients’ best interests are met.
Gemma graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in 2012 with a First Class degree in Law. During a summer internship with the children and family team at Luton Borough Council she gained advocacy experience at the Luton family court, and she went on to complete her training contract with a Bedfordshire firm. Today she regularly represents clients at the local family courts.
You can meet Gemma at Market Square in the centre of town, or speak to her by phone or video if that is easier.
Gemma also prepares cohabitation agreements for couples who live together, and helps separating parents who were never married agree arrangements for their children. Read more about how we help unmarried couples.
If you are the applicant in a divorce that is not disputed, Gemma’s fixed fee is £650 plus VAT, with the court fee on top. A respondent pays £350 plus VAT. Anything beyond that, such as a contested divorce or work on finances, is charged at our hourly rates, and Gemma will explain the cost first. Your initial consultation is not free, and we will confirm its cost when you book.
Let Gemma help you protect your family’s best interests. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.
What Gemma’s Clients Say:
“Gemma is an excellent solicitor. She took the time to make sure we understood everything that was happening. Couldn’t be happier with the service she provided, would definitely recommend.”
“I saw Gemma today to discuss my pending divorce after a bad experience with another firm, and I couldn’t recommend her more. She was factual, supportive, and answered every question clearly. It was genuinely a 5* service, delivered with professionalism and care. The information provided was incredibly valuable and has given me confidence moving forward. Thank you – I look forward to the next steps in resolving my divorce.”
“Gemma was very professional and reassuring when I advised her about my case and was so understanding. She explained my rights and put my mind at rest about certain aspects which I am so grateful for. Thank you Gemma!”
Family cases for Leighton Buzzard are usually heard at Luton Justice Centre (Arndale House, Luton Point, LU1 2EN) or at Milton Keynes County Court and Family Court on Silbury Boulevard, depending on where the parties live. Gemma represents clients at both.
From Market Square we act for clients in Leighton Buzzard, Linslade, Heath and Reach, Toddington, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Wing and the surrounding villages of South Bedfordshire and North Buckinghamshire.
Family law matters for Leighton Buzzard residents are typically heard at Luton Justice Centre (Arndale House, Luton Point, Luton, LU1 2EN) or Milton Keynes County Court and Family Court (351 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2DT), depending on the type of case and the parties’ addresses. Both courts are within easy reach of Leighton Buzzard, and we attend on behalf of clients across South Bedfordshire.
We serve Leighton Buzzard, Linslade, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Toddington, Tring, Aspley Guise, Woburn, Bletchley, and villages across South Bedfordshire, North Buckinghamshire and the South Milton Keynes area. Most consultations can be by phone or video, with in-person meetings at our Leighton Buzzard office where preferred
We offer a fixed fee divorce so you know the cost of the divorce itself before you start. Where the divorce is not disputed, the fixed fee is £650 plus VAT for the applicant, plus the court fee, or £350 plus VAT for the respondent. If issues become contested, or you need work outside the fixed fee, that work is charged at our hourly rates and we will discuss it with you first.
Under the no-fault divorce process introduced in April 2022, an uncontested divorce takes a minimum of 26 weeks (6 months) from application to final order. This is made up of a 20-week reflection period followed by 6 weeks before the final order. In general it takes on average 8 months. Financial settlements and children arrangements can run alongside the divorce and may extend the overall timeline.
No-fault divorce came into effect in England and Wales on 6 April 2022. It removed the requirement to prove one of five grounds (adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, two years’ separation with consent, five years’ separation). Either spouse or both jointly now simply states the marriage has broken down irretrievably. The same rules apply in Leighton Buzzard as across England and Wales.
Yes. Pre-nuptial agreements (signed before marriage) and post-nuptial agreements (signed during marriage) are not strictly binding in England and Wales but courts give them significant weight where properly drafted, both parties have taken legal advice, and full financial disclosure has been made. They’re particularly important for those entering second marriages, with business interests, family wealth or children from previous relationships.
Yes. We help parents in Leighton Buzzard reach arrangements about where children live, contact with each parent, schools, holidays and other day-to-day matters. Most cases resolve by agreement or through mediation. Where court is necessary, we apply for Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue Orders or Prohibited Steps Orders. Mediation (a MIAM) is normally required before any court application.
A financial order (or consent order) is a court order that sets out how a divorcing couple’s assets, pensions, property, savings and debts will be divided. It is legally binding and prevents future financial claims. Without one, your former spouse can make a financial claim against you years later, even after the divorce is finalised. We recommend every divorcing Leighton Buzzard couple obtains a financial order.
Unmarried couples have far fewer rights than married couples on separation. There is no “common law marriage” in English law, regardless of how long you have lived together. We advise Leighton Buzzard couples on cohabitation agreements (to set out arrangements before or during living together) and on the arrangements you need to make if you separate.
Yes. We provide urgent legal protection including non-molestation orders (preventing harassment, threats, violence) and occupation orders (regulating who can live in the family home). Emergency applications can be made without notice where there is immediate risk.
Yes. We write wills, prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) for property and financial affairs and for health and welfare, and handle probate. Home visits are available across Leighton Buzzard, Linslade, Dunstable and the surrounding area where mobility or illness makes office visits difficult.
Yes. The Court of Protection makes decisions for adults lacking mental capacity (commonly due to dementia, brain injury or learning disability). We apply for Deputyship orders, statutory wills, gifts and asset management for protected parties. We act for Leighton Buzzard families dealing with capacity issues, often working closely with care homes and medical professionals locally.
Yes. Many family matters now run largely or entirely remotely. Initial consultations, document review and most negotiation take place by phone, video call and email. Court hearings, where required, may be held in person at Luton or Milton Keynes Family Court, or remotely by video link, depending on the type of hearing. We attend on your behalf and prepare you thoroughly.
Call us now, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 01302 349 480 or fill out our enquiry form here