Advice about divorce!

The decision to divorce and dissolve your marriage is rarely a decision which is made lightly and without substantial thought and deliberation.
Speaking to one of our specialist divorce solicitors at the outset of the breakdown of your marriage can often ease your anxieties.
There are usually interlinked issues to divorce, such as Financial Settlement, Children’s Issues and Domestic Violence. All these issues require expert advice and it is crucial that you are aware of your rights from the outset of the relationship breakdown.
It may be that your marriage has not broken down absolutely and you require advice on Mediation and Reconciliation. Our Lawyers are trained to listen to you and apply your needs using the most effective mechanisms.
Our divorce lawyers are members of a national scheme of family solicitors , Resolution, which encourages us to take a proactive non-confrontational approach in resolving all family disputes. It is desirable that most decisions can be agreed between the parties. This will ensure that the process runs smoothly.
We will ensure that you are guided and advised of the best procedures to follow to protect your interests and manage your reservations at this difficult time.
Divorce can be brought on a number of different grounds. We will help you decide on the best ground, taking into consideration all of your personal circumstances.
To be entitled to a divorce there a certain criteria that need to be met:

• You must have been married for at least 1 year;

• Your marriage and status must be legally recognised in the UK. This does not mean that your marriage must have taken place in the UK;

• It must be evidenced that the marriage has absolutely (irretrievably) broken down and that there are no prospects of reconciliation.

The grounds for divorce can be one of five:

• Adultery;

• Unreasonable Behaviour;

• Desertion for two years;

• Separation for 2 years and Consent for divorce by your Spouse;

• Separation for more than 5 years.

The length of time it will take for your divorce to be finalised will depend on several issues such as:

• Agreeing decisions about children;

• Agreeing on financial settlement;

• Locating your spouse;

• The co-operation of your spouse;

• Court backlogs.