I specialise in all aspects of family law and relationship breakdown, including divorce, financial disputes between spouses and cohabitants, private law children cases and pre and post-nuptial settlements.
I have particular expertise in dealing with cases involving complex business assets, inherited wealth, farming assets, trusts and Armed Forces pensions. I also have a wealth of experience acting for clients involved in issues relating to children, including applications for removal from the jurisdiction, the future living arrangements for the children and acting for grandparents.
As a member of Resolution and a trained collaborative family lawyer, I seek to provide an alternative to litigation for my clients if appropriate, and steer my clients towards workable solutions.
My aim is to help clients leave the marriage with their dignity intact and feeling that they have retained control of the process and, where possible, developed a positive post separation parenting relationship with their former spouse.
I am named as a Next Generation Partner in the Legal 500 2022 guide.
'Emma Wilders-Pratt possesses a rare combination of strategic and emotional intelligence. With a steely resolve to fight for her clients, Emma achieves fantastic results and has a high satisfaction rate because she really cares about what she does.' Legal 500 (2022)
Areas of Expertise
Case Study
- In April 2020 Emma was instructed for the wife in a case involving the treatment of pensions on divorce. The case was before HHJ Hess, Deputy Lead Judge of the Financial Remedy Court. The authority quotes widely from the Pensions Advisory Group report published in 2019 and has very useful guidance as to how pensions should be treated on divorce. Trethowans instructed Rachael Goodall of 3PB and we were successful in arguing that the total £2.1m pension fund should be shared between the parties on the basis of equality of income, despite the husband’s pre-marital contributions. The case also provides helpful guidance on global maintenance orders and costs orders. A link to a summary of the case is available here.
- In a recent case there were assets of £1,200,000. The distribution of the assets and future care of the children had to be determined. There was significant conflict at the outset. Client was aggrieved following the discovery of affair and presumed the litigious approach was the only way. The client was persuaded to consider adopting the collaborative approach. This approach was adopted and during the first face to face meeting with both parties and respective solicitors worked hard to breakdown the barriers and bitterness and help both parties to focus on finding solutions. Open, honest, face to face communication continued. By the third meeting 4 months later all matters were agreed. An effective post separation parenting relationship had evolved. Legal fees much less than had we litigated, but the emotional saving for the family, who could now communicate effectively, was priceless.
What others say
“Thank you in particular for your practical and creative ideas, your empathy and your kindness and support. Without you I don’t believe we would have achieved a settlement.” – Mr A.B
“I just want to thank you so much for all your help. I really couldn’t have achieved this “fair” outcome with out you. I know you are regularly in touch with Rachel and I would love you to pass thanks on to her too. You two are a formidable team and I feel I have won with the support from both of you. The whole divorce process has been horrendous for me emotionally and financially and along with the situation with my career things are now on the up. I have set up my own healthcare consultancy and just landed a very lucrative client.” Client
“You have been tremendously kind, supportive and considered in all the advice you have given me. Going through divorce is terribly upsetting and stressful but you have made this process less so for me. I think a personal recommendation is the best way to go in finding someone to deal with something so important and I’m recommending you to anyone that will listen!” Client
“The service provided to me by Emma and Emilie was extremely professional but also very supportive. I found my divorce hard to deal with but the process was made easier by the support & guidance they both gave me. Thank you.” Client
“Emma was so professional. She was empathetic, understanding and gentle. She made what was a very difficult thing to do so much easier by her professional support, advice and guidance. I would recommend and use her again.” Client
“Thank you for all your help and support during my divorce . It was a very difficult and stressful time for me and I am very grateful for your outstanding service and the constant help you gave me . I appreciate the sensitive way you worked on my divorce and cannot thank you enough.”- Client
“I was very impressed with the service I received from Trethowans. All of the staff I dealt with were very friendly and helpful. Emma was extremely understanding of my needs. She supported me when I was at my lowest ebb. Thank you Emma for all your support and help.”- Client
Away from the office
When not at work you will find me chasing after my two very energetic children with their numerous sports and clubs, planning adventures, or seeking out my next open water swim.