For family law teams

Family law updates for clients going through a difficult time.

Divorce and financial proceedings involve long waits on courts and the other side, and clients worry in the silence. Matterping sends short, considerate updates at each milestone, with the controls family practitioners need to decide when a message is, and isn't, appropriate.

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Your Firm SolicitorsWhatsApp

Update from Your Firm Solicitors on your matter FAM-0207: "Application issued" is now complete. What happens next: we are waiting for your spouse to acknowledge the application. We will update you when we hear.10:20

Control for every client

You decide when a message is right.

Family matters need judgement. Matterping gives you a consistent way to keep clients informed, without taking that judgement away.

Consent recorded for every client, with how and when they agreed.
WhatsApp or text, whichever the client prefers.
Complete without notifying for any stage that shouldn't be messaged.
Pulse off on any matter where feedback questions aren't appropriate.
Departments and permissions so family files are seen by the family team.

"You give clients information in a way they can understand. You ensure they are in a position to make informed decisions about the services they need, how their matter will be handled and the options available to them."

SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, paragraph 8.6

Example: divorce

Milestones in plain English.

Set up stages for divorce, financial remedy, child arrangements or any other family matter type, with wording that suits your clients. Here's an example for a divorce.

Instructions and initial adviceWe’ve opened your file. Next we prepare the application.
Divorce application submittedYour application has been submitted to the court. We’ll let you know when it has been issued.
Application issuedThe court has issued the application and notified your spouse. Next we wait for their acknowledgement.
Conditional order applied forWe’ve applied for the conditional order and will update you when the court responds.
Financial disclosure exchangedBoth sides have shared financial information. Next we review it and discuss options with you.
Final order applied forWe’ve applied for the final order, which legally ends the marriage.

Questions firms ask

Is WhatsApp appropriate for family clients?

For many clients it is the easiest way to stay informed. But family matters vary, so you decide per client: record their consent and preferred channel, use text messages instead if they prefer, or complete stages without sending an update at all.

What if the client shares a phone with the other party?

Only send updates to a number the client has confirmed is safe to use, and record their consent when you open the matter. For any matter where messages could put a client at risk, don’t send them: stages can be completed without notifying the client.

Can we keep messages brief and non-specific?

Yes, and we recommend it. Updates should say what has happened and what comes next, in general terms. Sensitive detail belongs in a call or a secure letter, not a message.

Can we turn off feedback questions?

Yes. Pulse can be switched off for any matter where a feedback question wouldn’t be appropriate.

See a family law update on your own phone.

Book a short demo and we'll set up a matter type that matches how your firm works, then send an update to your own phone so you can see exactly what your clients would get.

Book a demo