Relationship breakdown & divorce advice

Divorce solicitors

In the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, our priority is usually to attend to our emotions. Eventually, we turn our minds to the technicalities of separation, looking into separation, the dividing of property and care and living arrangements for any children.

Your first step during relationship breakdown

Many people we speak to have not yet firmly made a decision to divorce. In other cases, they are unmarried, but have property to divide and children to consider. During our discussions, we’ll talk about your options, so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Relationship reconciliation

In today’s stressful world it’s easy to neglect our relationships, but all may not be lost. It’s our policy, since we strive always to take a non-adversarial approach to matters, to look at alternatives to divorce and our clients often find this a useful time to focus on the decision they’re making. Occasionally a meeting with a counsellor, from an organisation like Relate, can present a host of options before divorce becomes the only choice.

Informal separation

An informal separation means living separately, either in separate properties or separately in the same house.

An informal separation does not usually involve court proceedings, although we can help you to make the most comfortable arrangements in respect of your children, money and property if you do consider this option. In many cases, this kind of informal arrangement does not require any involvement from the courts and we simply provide you with clear options and suggestions.

As informal as the separation is, an agreement should be formally drawn up in a legally constructed document called a "Separation Deed" or you may hear it called a "Separation Agreement", which we will negotiate and draw up.

In the event that the separation becomes permanent and you or your partner decides to commence formal proceedings through the court for either judicial separation or divorce, then it is essential that any Separation Deed/Agreement is brought to your advisor’s attention. This is so that the agreement can be incorporated into a court order.

A Separation Deed/Agreement cannot be finalised without the express co-operation and agreement of both parties. If agreement cannot be achieved then you may need to seek a judicial separation or a divorce, as a court application may be required in order to settle the matter.

For more information call 0870 1500 100, or use the links above to drop us a line.