Facing divorce or separation at the end of a marriage can be very upsetting, with both emotional and practical considerations to deal with. At such a difficult time, you want the right team on your side. Our divorce solicitors guide you through the process, supporting you to make the decisions that are right for you.
We know it can feel overwhelming to have to think about your finances, living arrangements and childcare arrangements. We provide clear guidance so you can see a way to move forward, one step at a time.
How we help if you’re thinking about divorce
Everybody’s circumstances are different, so we start by talking to you about your situation. We take you through your options, explaining these in plain English so you know what to expect.
As members of Resolution, the professional body for family lawyers, we take a constructive approach to family issues. We support ‘Good Divorce Week’ every year, which focuses on keeping the lines of communication open and resolving disputes out of Court where possible.
There are occasions when Court does become necessary, however. If this is the case, rest assured we will fight your corner as experienced advocates.
Sorting finances, living arrangements, children and other things can feel overwhelming but we’re here to give you practical advice so that you can take it one step at a time. Whatever your situation, we keep your interests in mind, helping ensure the best outcome so you can move on with your life.
What is the divorce process?
You can now apply for divorce on a 'no-fault' basis. This allows couples to divorce in an amicable manner, without the need for one spouse to blame the other. It also means that spouses will not be able to contest the divorce, apart from on grounds such as coercion and fraud. This change also applies to civil partnership dissolution.
The overall minimum timeframe for divorce is six months, with the stages including:
- Divorce application - This can be filed either individually or jointly and provides the details of the parties involved and the marriage. Once this is sent to court, the divorce process is officially begun.
- Acknowledgement of Service - A copy of the divorce application must be sent to your spouse within 28 days. They then need to complete and return an Acknowledgement of Service Form within 14 days. They are no longer able to contest the divorce, although they can dispute the validity of the marriage and/or the jurisdiction of the court. If the application is being made jointly, both parties will need to complete an Acknowledgement of Service form.
- Conditional Order - This can be applied for 20 weeks after the divorce application was issued.
- Final Order - This can be applied for 6 weeks after receiving your Conditional Order. While you may want to apply for the Final Order straight away, it’s generally advisable to delay this until your finances have been dealt with. Once the Final Order has been received, the divorce is finalised. You will need to keep a copy of this safe as you will need it in the future.
Alongside the divorce process, you may need to consider arrangements for children and we always recommend organising a financial settlement.
How much does divorce cost?
We offer a fixed fee for divorce proceedings, which includes:
- drafting and filing the petition at court.
- applying for Conditional Order, the middle stage of divorce.
- applying for Final Order – the decree that dissolves the marriage.
We also offer a free initial meeting to discuss your situation, including:
- What the issues are.
- Finding the best process for you.
- Working out who in our team is best suited to supporting you.
- Our likely costs including the Court fee, and the payment options for you, including fixed fee options.
- How long it’s likely to take.
How we help if you’re thinking about separation
If your marriage has ended but you’re not ready for a divorce yet, you can separate with no need to make this official. You're considered legally separated when you and/or your spouse show by your actions that you no longer want to be seen as a couple.
In this situation, we do advise having a written agreement covering your finances, to avoid any disputes further down the line. We can help you to put a Separation Agreement in place, which sets out everything in a legally binding contract.
Why choose Tozers?
When going through a difficult time, you need to know that the person who’s giving you advice will do so sensitively and that they know what they’re talking about.
Our divorce solicitors are recognised as experts in their field. We're ranked as a Band 2 firm by leading legal directory Chambers & Partners for our "strong matrimonial team" and the ability to handle "complex financial remedy cases". The Legal 500 notes our "extremely experienced team of family lawyers", with our head of team, Caroline Ryan recommended as being "as good, if not better, than the experts in large London firms".
Most importantly, our expertise is reflected in the feedback we get from our clients.
Find out how we can help you
Whatever your situation, the first step is to contact us for a chat. Our family law solicitors offer a free first meeting - get in touch with us today using our online enquiry form below or call us on 03308 185894.
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