Our family law team supports clients through custody, succession, divorce and matrimonial property matters with sensitivity and strength, working towards solutions that protect relationships, children, and long-term stability.
Care and discretion in sensitive matters
Family disputes are among the hardest that people face, because they involve relationships, children, homes and often a lifetime of shared effort. Our family law advocates understand that behind every file is a real family, and we handle each matter with respect, privacy and a practical focus on lasting solutions. We advise on marriage and its breakdown, the care and support of children, the division of matrimonial property and the legal steps that follow a death in the family.
Family law in Kenya draws on the Constitution, the Marriage Act, the Matrimonial Property Act, the Children Act and the Law of Succession Act, alongside customary and religious laws that apply in some cases. Which rules apply to you depends on the type of marriage and the circumstances.
Divorce, separation and matrimonial property
When a marriage ends, the law requires certain grounds and procedures, and these differ depending on whether the marriage was civil, customary, Christian, Hindu or Islamic. We explain your options, whether that is a formal divorce, a separation or a negotiated settlement, and guide you through the process. Because the courts and the parties both prefer to resolve disputes peacefully where possible, we use mediation to reach agreements on the terms of separation whenever that is safe and appropriate.
Dividing property is often the most contested issue. The Matrimonial Property Act recognises that each spouse may have contributed in different ways, including through domestic work and care of the family, and provides for the property to be divided according to each spouse's contribution. We help establish what is matrimonial property, what each party contributed, and how it should be shared, and we protect your interests against unlawful sale or transfer while the dispute is ongoing.
Children: custody, care and maintenance
The law puts the best interests of the child first. We advise parents on custody, access, residence and maintenance, and help them reach arrangements that give children stability and maintain their relationships with both parents. Where agreement is not possible, we present the case to the court, focusing on what will serve the child's welfare, including education, health, safety and emotional wellbeing.
We also assist with applications to enforce or vary maintenance orders when circumstances change, such as a change in income or in the child's needs, and advise on related matters including guardianship and recognition of paternity.
Succession and family estates
When a family member dies, relatives often face confusion about who inherits and how. The Law of Succession Act provides for wills and for distribution where there is no will. We help families obtain probate or letters of administration, prepare the necessary court petitions, resolve disagreements between beneficiaries and ensure the estate is distributed according to the law. Our estate planning practice also helps people prepare wills and arrangements during their lifetime to avoid disputes later.
If you are facing a family matter, you do not have to handle it alone. Contact us for a confidential conversation. Bring any marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, property documents or death certificate you have, and we will explain your options and the steps ahead.
At a glance: what we handle
- Child custody
- Succession and estates
- Divorce
- Matrimonial property