MELANIE TOWNSEND Family Law
Specialist family law support for clients facing complex financial disputes, high-net-worth divorce, pensions, hidden asset concerns, and sensitive matrimonial matters - delivered with discretion, clarity, and personal care.
Bespoke Family Law Support When It Matters Most
Melanie Townsend provides discreet, senior-level family law support for clients facing complex matrimonial matters where the personal and financial stakes are high. Her work is particularly suited to cases that require careful judgement, strategic thinking, and a more personal level of support than larger firms often provide.
- Divorce and financial disputes involving substantial assets
- Businesses, trusts, pensions, inherited wealth, and property portfolios
- Concerns around non-disclosure, hidden assets, or asset dissipation
- Maintenance claims, protective action, and complex negotiations
With experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and County Courts, Melanie combines legal rigour with a deliberately selective approach, limiting her caseload so every client receives focused, bespoke support from the outset.
Notable Case
In S (Financial Provision – Application of Standish and the issue of costs), Melanie successfully ring-fenced a client’s family-origin assets, secured 75% of her legal costs (£109,500), and relied on the principles in Standish to protect her financial position.
Trusted Experience. Personal Service.
Senior-level family law support for complex financial matters, delivered with discretion, precision, and a deliberately limited caseload.
01
25+ Years in Family Law
Melanie has specialised in family law for more than 25 years, with experience in complex financial disputes and high-net-worth cases.
02
Barrister Qualified
After qualifying as a barrister in 1991, Melanie transferred to solicitor in 1997 and has spent decades advising clients on sensitive matrimonial and family law matters.
03
Legal 500 Leadership
Before founding her own successful Essex practice, Melanie led the family law department for a London Legal 500 firm across two offices.
04
Court-Level Experience
Melanie has represented clients in the County Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal, including matters involving trusts, business structures, and hidden assets.
Get clear, discreet advice on your next steps. Arrange a confidential consultation with Melanie today.
Complex Cases, Compassionate Support
No two families are the same, and neither are the pressures that come with separation. Melanie advises on complex and medium- to high-net-worth family law matters where clarity, discretion, and strategic direction matter from the outset.
- A strong track record in securing fair and substantial financial settlements
- Experience dealing with overseas trusts, business interests, pensions, complex property arrangements, and hidden assets
- Trusted by business owners, directors, professionals, and spouses dealing with complex financial uncertainty, including concerns around hidden assets, business value, inherited wealth, and long-term financial security.
- Clear, strategic guidance in matters where financial complexity, emotional strain, and the need for discretion all intersect.
Clients I Represent
Melanie advises clients on both sides of complex financial family law disputes. In some cases, the priority is protecting businesses, inherited wealth, or long-built assets. In others, it is ensuring one party is not left financially exposed after years of contribution, sacrifice, or a lack of transparency.
Why Clients Choose Melanie
For clients dealing with complex financial family law matters, experience alone is not enough. You need clear judgement, careful strategy, and strong support from someone who understands what is at stake.
Family Law Services Tailored to You
Clear, discreet support for complex family law matters - tailored to your circumstances, your priorities, and the level of protection your case requires.
Whether you are protecting significant assets or seeking fair financial provision, Melanie offers discreet, strategic advice from the outset.
How It Works
A clear, discreet process from first conversation to final resolution.
About Melanie Townsend
Melanie Townsend is a senior matrimonial consultant solicitor with more than 25 years of experience advising on family law matters, including complex financial disputes and high-value cases. She has acted in the Court of Appeal, High Court, and County Courts, combining senior-level legal expertise with a personal, carefully tailored approach.
After qualifying as a barrister in 1991 and specialising in family law from 1997, Melanie went on to lead major family law teams in London before founding and running her own successful Essex practice for 20 years. Now based in the Ribble Valley, she advises clients across Lancashire and the wider North West, as well as those further afield where the right specialist support is needed.
Melanie works as a consultant with Setfords Solicitors, combining the backing of a national law firm with a more personal, direct, senior-led service.
Explore Case Studies
Below are anonymised examples of complex financial matters Melanie has handled. You can explore a selection here or view all case studies for a broader picture of the types of issues she deals with.
Hidden Assets and Undisclosed Property in a High-Value Divorce
A complex divorce involving suspected hidden property, poor disclosure, and third-party investigations that helped uncover the husband’s true asset position.
Frozen Bank Account and Hidden Company Interest in a Complex Divorce
A case involving an undisclosed bank account, transferred business interests, emergency court action, and legal funding secured during proceedings.
Family-Origin Assets Successfully Ring-Fenced in a Complex Divorce
A reported case in which inherited and family-origin assets were excluded from sharing, with only the former matrimonial home treated as matrimonial.
Compassion in Every Case
Melanie is particularly well known for handling complex, high-value family law matters involving businesses, hidden or transferred assets, overseas trusts, intricate property arrangements, and maintenance disputes. These cases demand more than technical legal knowledge alone; they require careful judgement, strategic thinking, and a clear understanding of what is at stake for the people involved.
Alongside her legal expertise, Melanie brings a calm, personal approach to every matter she takes on. She understands that behind every financial dispute is a family, a future, and often a great deal of emotional strain. Her role is to help clients move through that process with clarity, dignity, and strong representation throughout.
Trusted by Clients in the Ribble Valley and Beyond
Melanie supports clients in the Ribble Valley, including Whalley, Clitheroe, Langho, and surrounding areas, as well as clients further afield where specialist support is needed.
For clients dealing with sensitive financial matters, direct access to the right lawyer often matters more than postcode alone. Consultations are available by phone, email, video call, and by appointment where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are dealing with a complex financial family law matter, the right advice early on can make a significant difference. Below are answers to some of the questions clients often have before making contact.
What types of family law matters does Melanie handle?
Melanie advises on a wide range of family law and matrimonial matters, with a particular focus on complex financial disputes. This includes divorce and financial settlements, high-net-worth cases, asset tracing, freezing orders, maintenance claims, cohabitation disputes, arbitration, and matters involving trusts, businesses, inherited wealth, or non-disclosure.
Do I need to be high net worth to work with Melanie?
No. Melanie is particularly experienced in medium- to high-net-worth family law matters, but the key issue is often complexity rather than headline wealth alone. A case may require specialist support because of trusts, business interests, inherited assets, hidden wealth, or financial imbalance between spouses, even where the overall asset position is not ultra-high-value.
Can Melanie help if I am worried assets are being hidden or moved?
Yes. Melanie has significant experience in cases involving non-disclosure, transferred assets, business structures, trusts, and concerns about hidden wealth. Where necessary, she can advise on the right legal and strategic steps to protect your position and ensure the true financial picture is properly addressed.
Do all cases go to court?
No. Many family law matters are resolved through strong negotiation and careful preparation without the need for a final court hearing. Where appropriate, Melanie can also advise on arbitration as a more private and efficient route. If court proceedings are needed, she has experience handling matters at County Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal level.
Can Melanie act for both wealth creators and spouses seeking fair financial provision?
Yes. Melanie acts for clients on both sides of complex financial disputes. In some cases, the priority is protecting businesses, inherited wealth, trusts, or long-built assets. In others, it is securing proper disclosure, fair provision, and long-term financial security where one party may not have had full visibility or control over the finances.
Will I deal directly with Melanie?
Yes. A key part of Melanie’s approach is providing direct, senior-level support. She limits the number of matters she takes on at any one time so clients receive closer attention, careful preparation, and a more bespoke service throughout the case.
Is arbitration an option instead of court?
In some cases, yes. Arbitration can offer a more private, efficient, and controlled alternative to court proceedings. It is not right for every matter, but where appropriate it can help clients reach resolution with greater discretion and less delay.
Can Melanie advise clients outside the Ribble Valley?
Yes. While Melanie has a strong focus on clients in the Ribble Valley, including Whalley, Clitheroe, Langho, and surrounding areas, she also advises clients further afield where the matter is the right fit and specialist support is needed.
Arrange a Confidential Consultation
If you are facing a complex family law or matrimonial matter and want clear, discreet advice on your next steps, Melanie welcomes confidential enquiries by text / WhatsApp, email, or through the contact form.
Melanie offers a deliberately selective, senior-led service, taking on a limited number of matters at any one time so each client receives direct access, careful preparation, and strategic oversight throughout.
A free 30-minute initial consultation is available. Melanie works as a consultant with Setfords Solicitors, so clients benefit from direct access to Melanie alongside the backing of an established national law firm.
Contact Details:
- Phone: 07703 982006
- Email: info@melanietownsend.co.uk
- Office: Brockhall Village, Blackburn
- Consultations available by phone, email, video call, and by appointment where needed
Or complete the secure contact form and Melanie will be in touch directly.
Arbitration
A private, efficient alternative to court proceedings, helping clients resolve matters with greater discretion, speed, and control.
View Arbitration Support