With decades of experience, our divorce lawyers provide clear, focused advice to ensure our clients successfully navigate the process and find a constructive solution that works for you.
For all family and divorce related matters please get in touch with Lucinda Holliday on 01494 478603, or email family@blasermills.co.uk.
Always on your side
No two divorces are the same, which is why we base our legal advice on you, your situation and your goals. We will then create a clear, tailored framework for you; one that proactively moves through the divorce process towards a timely and effective resolution. With a breadth of experience and skills, we can explore a wide range of options to avoid costly and damaging litigation but will always advise you if we believe that Court would be the most sensible way forward.
Separation and divorce involve making significant and often difficult decisions. We will help you understand the divorce process step-by-step, and can advise you in relation to other matters that will need to be agreed as part of that process including arrangements for the finances and children. This will ensure you understand the wider implications of your choices, so that you always have a clear view of your options. Even if something unexpected occurs, you can be sure that not only have we likely seen it before, but that it can be managed appropriately.
Expertise tailored to your circumstances
We don’t believe in working in isolation, so where appropriate you will benefit from the expertise, insight and skills of the entire team. This allows us to utilise decades of experience dealing with a wide range of clients and divorces, including collaborative and mediation services to help you find the right solution and avoid litigation where possible and appropriate.
We are experienced when it comes to international and cross-border divorce processes as well as UK divorce. A number of our divorce lawyers are individually ranked in Chambers and Partners and are also members of Resolution , the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Scheme and the Law Society’s Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme.
How to start the divorce process?
Before you begin the legal process of ending your marriage, it’s important to understand what you will need to do and the importance of timings. For example, we can make sure the English Courts have jurisdiction to deal with the divorce and can advise you if you married abroad.
Understanding the divorce process
Just as every relationship is unique, our extensive experience shows that every divorce is different. You may be able to end your marriage without a Court hearing if you and your ex-partner can mutually agree on a path forward. But if one of you does not agree to the divorce, the process is likely to take more time and cost more.
The first step is for your divorce application is to consider whether it will be a joint or sole application. Regardless, your marriage certificate and a court fee are required.
Following the application, the court requires a period of 20 weeks before you can apply for the conditional order in the divorce.
Once the conditional order has been pronounced , the court has the power to make financial orders if asked. This includes the power to approve any financial order reached between you by agreement.
Six weeks and one day after the conditional order, the applicant may apply for the final order. There are often very good reasons for delaying this and it is essential that you seek legal advice before making the application.
The final order finally ends the marriage. It does not, however, sever financial links between the parties.
The final order
The final order terminates your marriage, and you are free to remarry.
It also affects inheritance under a Will. You should review your Will after the final order as some or all its provisions may no longer be valid after divorce.
The final order does not terminate your financial rights and responsibilities against or towards your former spouse. Financial issues must be considered and addressed separately by a court order to achieve finality. This can be done by consent, utilising several different dispute resolution options, or through the court.
Time scales
Most divorces in England that are mutually agreed take between 6-9 months, but we often deal with more complex divorces involving high-net-worth individuals such as business owners, international clients, sports professionals or families who have inherited their wealth. They tend to involve issues around finances and property, and they can sometimes take longer. It is not unusual for the resolution of the finances to take from between 1 – 2 years.
We will ensure we maintain clear and open dialogue with you as your divorce progresses, so that you always know what to expect.
Contact us
For all family and divorce related matters please get in touch with Lucinda Holliday on 01494 478603, or email family@blasermills.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in our contact form.