Karen Reardan

Karen is an Associate Chartered Legal Executive and Head of Private Family here at Askews Legal. Karen began her career at Hughes & Masser Solicitors, moving from there in 2000 to Penmans Solicitors where she remained for 19 and a half years before joining Askews. Karen has historically, worked in all areas of family law and now specialises in divorce and financial settlement, dissolution of civil partnerships, pre and post nuptial agreements, cohabitee disputes and cohabitation agreements on a privately funded basis.

Karen is a member of Resolution and follows the Code of Practice using the knowledge and skills she has acquired over the years to assist her clients, preferably, to reach agreement regarding how they will move forward from the breakdown in their relationship. Karen has advised clients in situations where there are substantial assets such as numerous properties, large pensions and other investments and situations where assets are very limited with the family home being the main capital asset. It is always essential that the needs of the family are met with the needs of any children being paramount. Achieving this often requires considerable creativity, which Karen is able to provide.

Karen was recently involved in a case where an issue arose as to whether a Trust had been created when contributions were made towards a property portfolio by the Mother of one party, she has represented clients who have lacked capacity requiring the need for the instruction of a Litigation Friend or the Official Solicitor and a case where one party was found to have multiple identities and had even purchased and sold properties using those identities.

If agreement cannot be reached, Karen is able to take the matter through the Court process in order to achieve a resolution. Karen has a keen ability to ensure clients fully understand the process whether that is through the Courts or via other means. Karen believes it is extremely important for clients to know what is happening with regards to their matter and why that is happening as she understands it can be a very stressful and daunting experience if this is not explained fully. Karen will always provide clients with an indication as to the length of time their matter is likely to take and an estimate of the level of costs they might expect to pay. Karen feels this enables clients to budget for their proceedings and to plan, with a light at the end of the tunnel to aim for.

Outside of work Karen enjoys walking, using the gym, reading and watching films. Karen is also a “petrol head” and loves to attend classic car shows and tours. Karen recently toured the Alps in a TVR Griffith 500 with 36 other cars. Karen owned, until recently, a TVR V8S (4.6 litre) which she also enjoyed working on under the guidance of her partner. Karen says she loves nothing more than rolling around under a car trying to work out which part does what and hunting down and resolving issues.