When a relationship or marriage ends, we know that that this is a challenging and emotional time in your life. Whatever the circumstances, it’s natural to worry about the future, your finances, your home and your children. At RLE Law Solicitors we are here to help you.
Peace of mind can help to better manage the stress of the situation. Contact our friendly team to talk you through the process.
What to expect from you first meeting
At the first meeting you will discuss the background of the case. You will be asked to provide the date of separation, details of any children of the family, including proposed future arrangements for their care, details of your own and your partner’s assets, income, savings and pension interests. The first meeting is very much a fact finding exercise to enable your solicitor to advise you properly on the best next steps. In that meeting you can expect to learn more about your options including what processes you can use to reach a resolution in your case whether through negotiation, collaboration, mediation, arbitration or litigation. You will also have a better understanding of what your future could look like
Are there grounds to divorce?
All divorces are now no-fault based as of 6 April 2022. Parties may apply jointly, or solely for a divorce on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Provided parties have been married over one year, there is no longer an option to defend a divorce – save in the event of it being found that the marriage was not legal to begin with. Therefore, one spouse cannot prevent the other from obtaining a divorce anymore.
The divorce process: filing the paperwork and timescales
The the divorce procedure in England and Wales follows a process which starts with the filing of a divorce application with the court and ends with the issue of a Final Order. In the vast majority of cases there will be no need to attend court at any stage and the process can proceed online with documents being uploaded to a Court portal. The process takes a minimum of twenty-six weeks. However it may be that the pronouncement of the Final Order will be delayed in the event that there are financial matters which still need to be resolved. Your solicitor will draft, prepare and file the necessary paperwork with the Court.
How much does a divorce cost?
The form-filling element of divorce is relatively inexpensive. Settlement of the finances and child arrangements can be more costly however. Costs will reflect, firstly, the attitudes of the parties involved and secondly the complexity of their issues. Once we have agreed on the right approach for your case, your solicitor will give you a clear indication of what your divorce case should cost from the outset. Whilst we cannot predict with certainty how your case will proceed we will keep you regularly informed and advise you if there are any reasons why our initial view of your case needs to change.
We also understand that it is really hard to know what service and advice you need from your Family Law Solicitor at the outset, so we offer free initial appointments so that you can find out where you stand and what your next steps would be.
Our Family Solicitors can offer appointments to you and your family at our Bridgend and Treorchy offices and are here to help you.