Southend-on-Sea · Accredited Specialists
Specialist legal advice for life's difficult moments.
Family law and wills & estate administration, explained in plain English by people who understand what's at stake.
Who We Are
Legal advice without the legal fog.
We've spent more than thirty years helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Divorce. Separation. Disagreements about children. Wills. Bereavement. The things that keep you awake at night.
We do two things — family law and estate administration — and we do them properly. We're accredited specialists, not generalists. And we explain things in plain English, the way a good solicitor would explain them to you across a desk.
Honest advice. Delivered with care and consideration.
You don't need to be worried about coming to see a solicitor. We're approachable. We listen first. We'll tell you what you actually need to know — not what sounds impressive. And we'll be honest with you, even when the honest answer is hard.
What We Do
Two areas of law. Done properly.
We don't try to do everything. We focus on the things that matter most in people's lives — family situations and what happens to the people you care about.
Family Law
When relationships change.
Family law is rarely straightforward. It's personal, it's emotional, and the decisions you make now will shape the next chapter of your life. We bring direct, pragmatic advice to difficult situations.
Wills & Estate Administration
Planning ahead. And when the time comes.
Writing a will. Planning for the future. Dealing with someone's estate after they've gone. These things matter. We'll help you get them right, with calm, clear advice and none of the jargon.
Why Dovaston
The reasons people choose us.
Specialist, not generalist.
We do two things — family law and estate administration — and we've been doing them for over thirty years. It means we know these areas inside out. We're accredited by The Law Society as specialists, not general high-street solicitors.
Plain English, always.
We explain things as a good solicitor would explain them to a client sitting across a desk. Clear. Direct. Respectful. No legal fog, no showing off. If we ever use a word you don't understand, tell us — we'll say it again properly.
Human.
Approachable people who understand that what you're going through is difficult.
Responsive.
Clients mention our speed and communication again and again. You won't be left in the dark.
Modern systems.
LawConnect, secure document sharing, online tools. Technology that makes working with us easier.
Transparent.
Costs explained clearly, before we start. No surprises. No hidden fees.
Our People
The people you'll actually speak to.
Not a team of anonymous faces. Real specialists, with real experience, who will handle your case themselves.
Founder & Solicitor
Karen Dovaston
Family Law · 30+ years' experience
Karen founded the firm and has practiced family law for more than three decades. She's recognised by The Law Society as an advanced level specialist in family law — one of relatively few solicitors to hold that accreditation.
She chairs The Law Society Family Member Advisory Committee, sits on The Law Society Council for Essex, and her book Matrimonial Financial Toolkit was published in October 2024. She's appeared on BBC News and radio discussing family law.
CILEx Lawyer · Probate Practitioner
Gill Tobin
Wills & Estate Administration
Gill has more than twenty-five years' experience in wills, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney. She's a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Read Gill's profile →
Solicitor · Private Client
Natalie Fletcher
Wills · Probate · Estate Planning
Natalie specialises in wills, probate, estate administration, inheritance tax planning and LPAs. She's President of the Southend-on-Sea & District Law Society.
Read Natalie's profile →Client Proof
What clients actually say.
Data from ReviewSolicitors — an independent review platform.
Explained everything in full detail, in easy to understand terms. Kept updated through the whole process with rapid response to any queries. Made the whole process simple.
Professional, friendly, knowledgeable, experienced, pragmatic and fair minded. Direct when she needed to be. I felt supported throughout.
How It Works
Simple. Clear. From the first conversation.
Contact
Call us, or book online. Tell us what's happening. No obligation, no pressure.
Consultation
We'll meet — in person, by phone, or by video. We listen first, then advise.
Advice
We explain your options in plain English. No jargon. No fog. Just clear guidance.
Next Steps
We agree a plan together. You know what happens next, what it costs, and what to expect.
Questions
Straight answers to common questions.
We're often asked similar things. Here are some short, honest answers. If your question isn't here, just ask us — we'd rather you did.
Ask a QuestionIt depends on complexity — whether finances are agreed, whether there are children, whether the matter is contested. We'll tell you what it's likely to cost at the start, before any work begins. We don't believe in surprises.
Not always, but often. If you're bringing property, savings, a business, or children from a previous relationship into a marriage, a prenup is sensible planning. It's not romantic, but neither is arguing about money later.
Court is rarely the best first step. We'll usually suggest mediation or negotiation first. If that doesn't work, court is there as a last resort — and we'll guide you through it properly. The priority is always the children.
If you own anything, have children, or care about who gets what when you die — yes. Without a will, the law decides. It's rarely what you would have chosen. A will is one of the most practical things you'll ever arrange.
It's a legal document that lets you choose people you trust to make decisions for you if you ever lose the ability to make them yourself — through illness, injury, or age. There are two types: one for property and finance, one for health and care. Most people should have both.
Usually six to twelve months for a straightforward estate. More complex estates can take longer — especially if there's property to sell, inheritance tax to sort, or disagreements between beneficiaries. We'll give you a realistic timescale at the start.
Part of the Community
Southend is our home.
We support organisations that matter to us and to the people of Southend and the wider Essex area. It's a small thing, but we think it matters.
Book an Appointment
Let's talk.
Whatever you're facing, you don't have to figure it out alone. Book a time to speak with one of our specialists. We'll listen first, then advise.
Contact
Find us in Thorpe Bay.
Thorpe Bay
Southend-on-Sea
Essex · SS1 3HH