FAMILY LAW
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DIVORCE
One of the main areas our solicitors are specialised in is assisting clients in getting a divorce in England or Wales. We do recognise that the process of divorce is very stressful and emotional. Our solicitors are well trained to manage sensitive matters that may arise during the process.
In order for you to commence divorce proceedings, you are required to be married for at least a year before you can apply for a divorce. Once the divorce process has been instituted, you are not free to remarry until the divorce process is complete, i.e. you have received the Decree Absolute.
A divorce can only be granted if the relationship is “irretrievably broken down”. There are five grounds that could be used to demostrate that the marrige is irretrievably broken down, including:
- Adultery
- Unreasonable Behaviour
- 2 Years Separation (if both agree)
- 5 Years Separation
- Desertion
We offer clients detailed and client tailored advice at an early stage to ensure that the reason for divorce is appropriate and all court documents are completed diligently to avoid delays in the process.
Further, durin this process our team of solicitors will assist in the following:
- Taking precise and detailed instructions so that we understand your needs
- Preparing petitions or responses to petitions
- Submitting relevant proceedings to courts on your behalf
- Corresponding with the relevant authorities throughout the proceedings on your behalf
- Advising on deadlines and stages of the proceedings from the start to the end
- Ensuring that even after the matter has been exhausted, our office remains as a point of call for any further advice.
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Legal Separation
The legal separation allows you to live apart, without divorcing or ending a civil partnership.
The reasons for separation are similar to those of divorce such as adultery or unreasonable behaviour. However, the main grounds for divorce demonstrating that “the marriage is irretrievably broken down” do not need to be met.
Examples of legal separation include, for instance, religious reasons against divorce or when a couple has been married less than a year or simply requires time and space to work out if they would like to end the marriage.
Our team of solicitors will advise with diligence ensuring that you understand the process and have a peace of mind during the proceedings.
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Civil Partnership
A civil partnership is a legally recognised relationship available to same-sex couples or opposite- sex couples. A civil partnership can only be recognised if it is registered with the relevant authorities in the UK. Once registered it confers the same rights and responsibilities as a marriage. This means it can only be ended if one of you dies, or by applying to court to end the partnership legally. You can apply to end (‘dissolve’) your civil partnership if you have been in such a relationship for over a year. If you prefer not want to end the civil partnership, you can get a legal separation and live apart.
Our team of solicitors will assist you with any legal issues related to a civil partnership whether you are looking to form such a partnership or dissolve it. Contact us for further information.
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Unmarried Partners
Unmarried partners are described as a couple living together in a relationship similar to a marriage even if not married. Unmarried couples do not have the same rights as married couples. Therefore, it is advisable to consider entering into a contract with your partner to decide how money and property should be divided should you separate. These are known as “Separation Deeds” or “Cohabitation Contracts“.
Our team of solicitors will provide a detailed advice on your rights based on your specific circumstances. We will also assist with producing appropriate legal documents aimed to protect your interests should you decide to separate in the future.
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PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS
We advise and prepare pre-nuptial or pre-marriage agreements between the couples who wish to protect their investments acquired prior to their marriage.
Even though these agreements are not enforceable in the UK, they play an important role in determining the intention of the couple if the matter needs to be resolved in courts of law.
Our team of solicitors can assist to prepare these agreements and advise on all other rights stemming from such agreements.
