As well as being a partner and head of our highly successful family team, Helen is one of the most sought after divorce lawyers in the region. Advising on all aspects of divorce and separation, she specialises in complex and high value financial settlements, often involving family businesses and assets held abroad.
Helen is a consummate professional, bringing clarity and efficiency to every case. She is also strongly recommended for her understanding and supportive approach and her ability to help clients move forward.
Helen is recognised as a ‘notable practitioner’ by Chambers and Partners and is a specialist collaborative lawyer.
Expertise
Helen provides legal advice on high net worth and complex financial cases and representation in divorce proceedings. She also advises on pre and post nuptial agreements, living together agreements and issues involving children of separating couples.
Helen has a particular focus on run-offs, bankers bonuses and capitalising maintenance.
Helen studied at law at Nottingham University and qualified in 1989. She spent her earlier working years in London both in private practice and local government before joining Ottaways (now Debenhams Ottaway) in 2000. Helen became a partner in 2004.
In Touch
Helen is a member of the:
- advanced tier of the specialist Law Society Family Panel
- Hertfordshire Resolution and of the Hertfordshire Collaborative group (committee member)
Helen has recently been shortlisted for inclusion in the ‘Regional Lawyers’ section of the 2019 edition of the Spears 500 as one of the top private wealth lawyers based outside of London.
Helen Young's news
With Spring nearly here, many of us will be thinking about clearing out, cleaning up and generally getting our life in order. Now is a great time to think about…
Will new DIY divorce petition lead to more acrimony?
A new divorce petition introduced recently by the Ministry of Justice becomes compulsory from 4 September 2017. The rationale behind the introduction of the new form is the recognition that more people are…
Limitation period for financial claims on divorce?
To many people’s surprise, the financial claims that a couple can make against each other upon divorce remain open even after the divorce is complete. Only a court order or…
Resolution family lawyers lobby in Parliament
Debenhams Ottaway family lawyers Helen Young and Helen Clyne joined other Resolution members to lobby in Parliament this week. Resolution represent 6,500 family justice professionals committed to supporting clients to reach non-confrontational resolutions to family disputes….
Post-Brexit: the possible impact on family law
With the dust settling following the UK’s Brexit decision, we are still wondering what precisely this will mean for everyone, what the economic implications may be and, for the lawyers…
Chambers and Partners 2017Helen Young is experienced advising on complex and high-value financial cases. One source highlights her collaborative law work and says ‘It’s always good to do cases with her. She takes a very empathetic approach.’
ClientThank you so much to Helen Young for the professional, efficient and supportive way in which she dealt with my divorce. I am extremely grateful and would recommend anyone in my position to contact Helen.
Chambers and Partners 2016Helen Young heads the firm’s family team and is noted for her handling of complex financial matters. One source said: She explains legal issues in a very clear way and manages to maintain a human element, which is important when dealing with difficult emotional topics.
ClientHelen was very professional and knowledgeable but also very supportive and understanding.
ClientThank you for all your help and excellent work over the past few years, guiding me through the minefield of the separation agreement and divorce process. It is a huge relief to of finally completed it all.
Legal 500 2016Debenhams Ottaway’s practice head Helen Young provides ‘sound, practical advice.’
Mrs P A SmithI felt secure and happy with the service. Helen and Jackie are so friendly, helpful and they listened to me. Lovely ladies.
