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ADVERTORIAL
Separation and divorce is a journey. To make sure you get it right, you need someone who wants to walk that journey with you post divorce or whether you’ll have to sell the family home; and then there are the children to think about for many. There are so many issues and so many myths and misconceptions out there, you know.” “Many people will rely on friends to help them through this stressful time or try to do it themselves to save on costs, but it really is a false saving. Separation and divorce is a journey. To make sure you get it right, you need someone who wants to walk that journey with you and has the ability to advise you throughout; they really need to be experienced and know what the
AT WORK WITH MAX BARFORD For the best part of four decades Max Barford & Co Solicitors in Tunbridge Wells has provided top quality legal advice. We catch up with the man himself and find out how he has earned a repuation as the town’s very own King of the Divorce Courts 224
F
courts are likely to order at the end of the day.” ebruary – what better time to talk to Max
Passionately and vividly expressed. But then
Barford AKA King of the Divorce Courts. I
Barford has built up a reputation as a no-
catch up with Max on a cold, bleak winter
nonsense, cut to the chase bloke, breaking
afternoon at his Tunbridge Wells office to
the mould of so many divorce lawyers. So, why
find out a little more about how a local boy from Tunbridge Wells has got where he is today, and it soon becomes clear. “I’ve always been passionate about what I do.
do you need an expert? “The real reason for instructing a divorce lawyer is for their experience; experience of what orders the courts are handing out and sometimes
Back in 1977 when I set up Max Barford & Co,
knowing which court will give you a better
many firms didn’t see separation and divorce as a
outcome. It’s not just to fill in forms and go
service they wanted to offer their clients. I
through the process, as many do these days. A
wanted to fill this vacuum,” he explains.
good divorce lawyer will advise you on the likely
But what was the draw of family law – giving legal advice to those considering or going through a separation or divorce – a service many of his peers were reluctant to offer? “Appearing in court is a daunting task in itself
outcome of your case and can manage your expectations accordingly.” With Max, you get a sense of a man very much aware of the problems couples go through when they separate, and with around half of marriages
and much more stressful when you’re going
in England and Wales ending in divorce, not to
through a relationship breakdown,” explains Max.
mention cohabiting couples separating, his
“You really don’t know where to turn or what to
services are highly sought after.
do, let alone think clearly about important issues such as what your finances are going to look like
Max’s clients span the length and breadth of the country and far beyond; he has most certainly
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