Best Alternative Families Solicitors in Dorset

Compare the best Alternative Families solicitors and lawyers in Dorset, ranked by verified client reviews: 77 law firms, updated 29 October 2026.

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    • 71 legal firms matched Narrowed down from 305
    Showing 1–20 of 77 firms Ranked by client reviews

    Alternative Families covers legal issues that arise when parenting or family life occurs outside the traditional marriage or civil partnership framework. A solicitor in this area helps with fertility and surrogacy arrangements, parental orders, donor conception issues, recognition of parental status for non‑biological or non‑marital parents, co‑habitee disputes over children, step‑parent involvement in parenting, adoption, guardianship and child arrangements. They draft and review agreements, apply to courts for orders, and advise on safeguarding the child’s welfare and the parents’ rights, with regard to court rules and social services involvement.

    1

    Lyons Bowe

    Featured
    4.7 5,910 Reviews

    62 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (20)Lasting power of attorney (6)Separation (5)

    Sophie Skinner Your solicitor Sophie Skinner Family Solicitor
    “The local office in Keynsham was very helpful and friendly, my solicitor Stephanie Allen was also very professional and help me to get my Devorce”
    A client review matching your search · about Stephanie Allen
    • excellent communication
    • kept informed
    • efficient and speedy
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeFamily LawWills and Inheritance Quality SchemeThe Law Society
    2

    Poole Alcock LLP

    Featured
    4.8 5,611 Reviews

    1,336 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (225)Children (75)Financial Matters (58)

    Lisa Potts Leads the Alternative Families team Lisa Potts Partner – Head of Secured Lending & Deputy Head of Real Estate Operations 5.0 from 93 client reviews
    Helen StollerJane JacquesDaniel BrooksCharles Smalley Works with Helen Stoller and 4 more
    “The advice I received from Lisa was really helpful. She helped me understand all aspects of the divorce process and how to obtain a financial order which was exactly what I needed.”
    A client review matching your search · about Lisa Potts
    • Friendly staff
    • Clear explanations
    • Fast service
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeCriminal LitigationFamily LawFamily Law Advanced
    Free initial advice
    3

    Frettens LLP

    4.8 2,374 Reviews

    158 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Lasting power of attorney (110)Divorce (28)Financial Matters (3)

    4

    Stowe Family Law LLP

    Featured
    4.8 4,810 Reviews

    3,379 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (398)Financial Matters (136)Matrimonial finance (98)

    Beth Sheridan Leads the Alternative Families team Beth Sheridan Regional Director
    Christopher BirchEmma NewmanNastassia BurtonRachel Watson Works with Christopher Birch and 4 more
    “I would very strongly recommend Stowe Family Law. I have used Stowe for various legal proceedings for children’s and family finance related cases and they have been excellent. Throughout litigation, I have dealt with many members of staff at Stowe and they have all been extremely helpful and competent. I instructed Orla O’Connor for the legal proceedings. Orla is incredibly knowledgable and thorough, offering sound advice and managing my case, which was particularly challenging at times, very professionally. Orla was able to achieve my desired outcome at the final hearing and conclusion of my child order application. I cannot recommend Orla (and Stowe) highly enough !”
    A client review matching your search · about Orla OConnor
    • patient and helpful
    • clear communication
    • professional and knowledgeable
    • Speaks
    • Family LawFamily Law AdvancedChildren LawThe Law Society
    Free initial advice
    5

    Parker Bullen LLP

    Featured
    4.9 596 Reviews

    92 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (48)Financial Matters (14)Child Arrangements Following Divorce (11)

    Suzanne Foster Leads the Alternative Families team Suzanne Foster Partner 5.0 from 20 client reviews
    Sarah DureauTricia GowerTerri Anson-DeanBelinda Hunter Works with Sarah Dureau and 4 more
    “Becky has been amazing and always had my best interests and gave me guidance. She's been supportive and answered everything I've needed and helped me through what has been one of the most difficult times of my life.”
    A client review matching your search · about Becky Hughes
    • approachable
    • responsive
    • efficient
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeFamily MediationThe Law Society
    6

    Farnfields LLP

    4.9 1,514 Reviews

    35 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (16)Matrimonial finance (7)Financial Matters (6)

    7

    Mogers Drewett LLP

    Featured
    4.9 954 Reviews

    52 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (16)Lasting power of attorney (16)Matrimonial finance (5)

    Rebecca Silcock Leads the Alternative Families team Rebecca Silcock Partner and Head of Family 4.9 from 8 client reviews
    Simon WalkerCharlotte CliffordElizabeth DowlerScarlet Clemens Works with Simon Walker and 3 more
    “Very good professional service. Rebecca Silcock was very responsive and really felt like an ally in difficult circumstances. ”
    A client review matching your search · about Rebecca Silcock
    • Responsive and available
    • Professional and efficient
    • Compassionate and patient
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeFamily LawFamily MediationChildren Law
    8

    Amicus Law Solicitors

    Featured
    4.9 781 Reviews

    45 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (19)Lasting power of attorney (12)Financial Matters (4)

    Lev Boreiko Leads the Alternative Families team Lev Boreiko Managing Associate 5.0 from 10 client reviews
    Lauren PreedyAdam HillierAlex ParrisSophie Holloway Works with Lauren Preedy and 4 more
    “It was a lot of problems from my ex not responding to any paper work but we got there in the end. Sophie was great.”
    A client review matching your search · about Sophie Holloway
    • excellent communication
    • friendly staff
    • professional service
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeCriminal LitigationThe Law Society
    Free initial advice
    9

    Kjs Solicitors Limited

    4.8 949 Reviews

    450 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (129)Financial Matters (42)Matrimonial finance (34)

    10

    Blanchards Bailey LLP

    4.8 767 Reviews

    104 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (39)Lasting power of attorney (21)Children (7)

    11

    Battens Solicitors Limited

    4.8 926 Reviews

    31 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (11)Children (3)

    12

    Paris Smith Llp

    Featured
    4.8 695 Reviews

    15 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (7)Financial Matters (3)

    Madeline Scott Your solicitor Madeline Scott Solicitor
    “Efficient, timely and knowledgeable responses Advised in a calm and pragmatic way Helped ground us and our thinking in a stressful family matter/dispute Seamless communicationa nd never had to chase for anything Always drafting the next step so that the resolution process maintained momentum to a resolution Referred to more senior colleagues when necessary, prpoviding best advice at all times”
    A client review matching your search · about Jacky Sykes
    • efficient and professional
    • clear communication
    • empathetic and supportive
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeFamily MediationThe Law Society
    Free initial advice
    13

    McCabe And Co Solicitors

    4.9 990 Reviews

    12 Alternative Families reviews

    14

    Lester Aldridge LLP

    4.8 500 Reviews

    7 Alternative Families reviews

    15

    Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP

    Featured
    4.9 986 Reviews

    56 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Lasting power of attorney (18)Divorce (10)Grandparents' Rights (3)

    Nicola Bennetts Leads the Alternative Families team Nicola Bennetts Partner 5.0 from 10 client reviews
    Clare EastwoodRichard Andrew HallMyra DoultonTom Filleul Works with Clare Eastwood and 4 more
    “I have used Aldridge Brownlee for over 35 years, most recently to do a Power of Attorney and review my Will. In recent years, also to assist with dealing with my father's estate and a property sale. I have always been pleased with the service I received. I have recommended Aldridge Brownlee to family and friends. ”
    A client review matching your search · about Clare Eastwood
    • Professional service
    • Friendly staff
    • Clear communication
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeFamily LawFamily Law AdvancedChildren Law
    Free initial advice
    16

    Rutters

    5.0 597 Reviews

    20 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (9)Lasting power of attorney (8)

    17

    Berensens LLP

    4.9 270 Reviews

    4 Alternative Families reviews

    18

    Dutton Gregory LLP

    Featured
    4.5 806 Reviews

    19 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (3)Lasting power of attorney (3)

    Jonathan Mark Whettingsteel Leads the Alternative Families team Jonathan Mark Whettingsteel Partner and Head of Family Department 5.0 from 4 client reviews
    Rachael HouseJohn RandleAlison CourtenayToby Glass Works with Rachael House and 4 more
    “The reviewer did not leave a written review but instead left their feedback as a score in the Star Rating.”
    A client review matching your search · about Ella Robinson-Austin
    • Very professional
    • Excellent communication
    • Responsive and prompt
    • Family LawFamily Law AdvancedChildren LawPersonal Injury
    Free initial advice
    19

    Trethowans LLP

    4.7 684 Reviews

    20 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (5)

    20

    Mjp Law Limited

    Featured
    4.9 473 Reviews

    25 Alternative Families reviews

    Reviewed for Divorce (12)Financial Matters (8)Matrimonial finance (4)

    Amanda Jane Loe Leads the Alternative Families team Amanda Jane Loe Director and Head of Family Law 4.9 from 17 client reviews
    Martin PateStephanie TomkinsonGeorgia FosterAlia Allen Works with Martin Pate and 4 more
    “Georgia Foster and her assistants at MJP Law Wimborne office helped me with a small matter which was concluded most satisfactorily. My grateful thanks to MJP. ”
    A client review matching your search · about Claudia Ghulahmad
    • professional service
    • approachable staff
    • clear communication
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeThe Law Society
    Free initial advice

    Frequently asked questions

    How are these solicitors ranked?

    Rankings are worked out mainly from client reviews: the ratings clients give and how recent the reviews are, with reviews about Alternative Families counting most. We also take into account how much of a firm's work is in Alternative Families.

    How often are the rankings updated?

    Twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday, so new reviews are reflected quickly. This list was last updated on 29 October 2026.

    Is it free to compare solicitors?

    Yes. Comparing firms, reading reviews and sending your case summary to the firms you choose is free.

    Who will see my details?

    Only the law firms you choose to send your case summary to. Nothing is shared until you press send, and your details are never shown on this page.

    Why can I only send my case summary to some law firms?

    Only law firms that have signed up to receive case summaries through us can be sent one. You can still contact any other firm directly from its profile.

    How many Alternative Families solicitors are there in Dorset?

    We have ranked 77 law firms for Alternative Families in Dorset, listed in order on this page.

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