Sarah Wood-Heath

Sarah has many years’ experience of advising on family law. Her expertise includes family breakdown, advising and representing clients through divorce proceedings, civil partnership dissolutions, co-habitation disputes and the associated financial negotiations, and settlement.

She also advises and represents clients in relationship breakdowns where there are children involved. Her work includes assisting clients with those arrangements and representing them in court if required. Sarah always has in mind the family as a whole and approaches her cases with sensitivity and with the welfare of the child at the forefront.

Sarah is one of the few lawyers in the UK who specialises in specialist parenting law, helping clients build and create their families. She advises her clients on navigating the legal minefield that exists in these areas.

Sarah has written a number of articles on the various issues which can be faced when conceiving through donor conception, co-parenting arrangements and surrogacy. She is also an experienced speaker having spoken at The Alternative Family Show, the Fertility Show at London Olympia, for various charities and on the radio.

Sarah is known for her practical approach towards her cases and for her empathy and understanding. She is a trained collaborative lawyer and a member of Resolution.

Expertise

Surrogacy law

Sarah has a wealth of experience in advising on surrogacy law, whether the arrangement takes place in the UK or abroad. She has worked on some of the leading cases in this area and provides clear, concise advice from the outset. Sarah can provide representation in court in order to obtain your Parental Order.

Donor conception

Sarah advises on conceiving with donor sperm or eggs. She can guide you through the legal implications of your options, whether you are conceiving with a known donor or unknown donor. How, when and where conception takes place determines who the legal parents are. As such, it is essential to understand how the law will apply to your particular circumstances.

Co-parenting agreements

In a co-parenting arrangement, people who are not in a relationship have a child together. This can mean that a child has more than two parental figures. Because the law only recognises two legal parents, it is important that the arrangement is set up correctly and everyone’s expectations are aligned. Sarah is experienced in preparing co-parenting agreements and donor agreements. She can advise you on the practical and legal implications of both.

Sarah offers a baby planning service in which clients can consider all the options available and their legal implications prior to conception. This ensures that all parties understand everybody’s rights and responsibilities from the beginning.

Family breakdown

A breakdown of a relationship where there is an alternative family structure in place can have added complexities. For example, one party may not be recognised as having legal parental status or a donor may be seeking more involvement with the child than was understood or agreed. This is an area of family law that is still evolving, with courts grappling to make decisions. It is essential to seek advice from a specialist solicitor who is familiar with these unique issues. Sarah has been involved in some of the leading cases in this fast-changing of family area law.