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Divorce Solicitors
Our divorce solicitors understand that getting a divorce can be an emotional and confusing experience. Our family law lawyers have extensive experience in dealing sensitively with complex legal issues following a marriage breakdown.
Our dedicated team of divorce lawyers are experts in providing specialist legal advice tailored towards your individual family needs. We will guide you through the divorce process to ensure you get the right outcome.
We can also work closely with other departments internally, including Property Lawyers, Corporate and Commercial Lawyers, to ensure that your financial needs are protected comprehensively. We have extensive experience in acting on behalf of business and professional people, affluent individuals, farmers, landowners and their spouses on divorce.
We can also help you to navigate a financial settlement and assist you with arrangements for your children.
No Fault Divorce
The 6th of April 2022 was a monumental day in family law. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force, introducing No-Fault Divorce.
Under the new ‘No Fault’ system, parties are no longer required to raise allegations of blameworthy behaviour against the other, marking the end of the ‘Blame Game’.
In this video, we look at:
- How will no fault divorce work?
- Why is no fault divorce better?
- How long do you have to be separated to get a no fault divorce?
No-Fault Divorce Explained
Our Approach to Divorce
We act with integrity. We do not fee build at the client's expense. We provide experienced divorce legal advice to ensure that you achieve the right outcome.
We understand the stress caused when relationships break down. We work hard building close relationships with the best forensic accountants, tax specialists, pension actuaries and independent financial advisers to assist the client to get the right information and help them rebuild their family's future.
If you would like to talk to us, in confidence, about how we can help regarding divorce matters, please get in touch.
Why Work With Our Family Team?
- Our specialist family law solicitors are experts in complex, high-value divorce, and family disputes.
- Our family law solicitors are recognised by the Legal 500.
- Our family team are all members of Resolution, the largest organisation of family lawyers in the UK, and are dedicated to dealing with matters in a non-confrontational and constructive way.
- Our team were shortlisted for the family law firm of the year (North) and financial remedies team of the year (National) at the Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards 2022.
- Our team work closely with other departments internally, including property, employment, corporate and commercial lawyers, to ensure that your financial needs are protected comprehensively.
- We provide a partner-led service to ensure you receive the very best legal advice and support for your family law issues.
- We have a large team of expert solicitors and can meet your deadlines.
- We are a full-service law firm operating from a one-site office, which means our teams communicate effectively and efficiently.
- We use the latest technology to ensure that we are working as efficiently. Geographical distance is no bar to us from providing excellent client service.
- We provide regular legal updates via our blogs, social media and local radio appearances.
- Look at the Myerson Promise for further benefits of working with us here.
The Divorce Process
What are the grounds for divorce?
A divorce application made after 6 April 2022 will be made on the basis that the marriage has irretrievably broken down.
There is no longer any requirement or ability to raise allegations of fault or blame against your spouse to apply for a divorce.
There is no minimum period of separation, but you must have been married for at least one year to apply for a divorce and have the right to issue divorce proceedings in England and Wales, such as through residence here.
You can apply for a divorce as a sole applicant, or on a joint basis.
How do I get a divorce?
- You apply, either on your own or jointly as a couple, for a divorce at the Family Court through the HMCTS online portal and pay a court fee of £593. You will also need to file a copy of the original marriage certificate.
- The Court will send your application to your spouse with an acknowledgement of service.
- The respondent spouse has fourteen days from receipt to respond to the divorce application.
- There is a minimum period of 20 weeks from the application being issued until you can apply for the Conditional Order in the divorce.
- Six weeks from the pronouncement of the Conditional Order, you can apply for the Final Order. It is bad practice to apply for the Final Order in the divorce proceedings before finances are resolved, as termination of the marriage affects inheritance rights, pension rights and taxation.
How long do divorce proceedings take?
As set out above, after your divorce application is issued, there is a minimum time period of 20 weeks before you can apply for your Conditional Order and then a further six weeks before you can apply for your Final Order when the marriage will be dissolved.
The divorce process is relatively simple to navigate, but it can take longer when there are disputes surrounding children or finances.
Does my spouse have to agree to the divorce?
You do not need your spouse’s consent to issue a divorce application. Your spouse will need to respond to the divorce. However, it is not possible to defend a divorce application unless there is a dispute about whether the court of England Wales have the jurisdiction to deal with the proceedings.
Do both parties pay for a divorce?
In most cases, each party pays their own costs, unless you make a specific application to the court for a costs order against the respondent party.
How are businesses dealt with on divorce?
The value of a business and its income will be considered an available resource of the marriage on divorce. That is not to say that the family court would order a sale of the business, as the court recognises that the business provides an income, the loss of which may have catastrophic consequences.
The court has wide discretion when dealing with a business on divorce and can make the following orders:
- Transfer of shares
- Company buyback of shares
- Lump sum payment to the non-business from funds available in the business
- Allocating other liquid funds of the marriage to the non-business owner
- Sale of the business
- An order for spousal periodical payments
A Guide To Alternative Dispute Resolution
Testimonials
Meet Our Family Solicitors
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our family lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.
Contact Our Divorce Solicitors
You can contact a member of our team using the contact form below or by phoning us on
0161 941 4000
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