Family
Why use a specialist lawyer in divorce?
We explore the benefits of accessing expert legal advice whilst going through a divorce and what pitfalls you might encounter when attempting to ‘go it alone’.
The introduction of no-fault divorce on the 6 April 2022 may have made the divorce process more accessible, and gone are need for drafting particulars of unreasonable behaviour or explaining the legal nature of adultery to clients, but legally ending a marriage can still be complex and feel confusing and overwhelming for those attempting to ‘go it alone’ and represent themselves.
Whilst there’s no legal obligation to instruct a divorce solicitor, during your divorce, there are several procedures and deadlines which must be followed correctly.
With this in mind, it’s always best to seek the advice of a divorce expert to guide you through the process and make sure all is in order, helping you to avoid any complications or additional court fees at a later stage.
What advice can a lawyer give me on divorce?
When navigating through the divorce process, one benefit of working with our specialist divorce solicitors is their ability to simplify the legal jargon involved. Whether it’s the conditional order, or the final order of divorce, it’s important that you fully understand process of the divorce and the implications of the various stages.
A family law specialist will keep you updated with any deadlines that you must adhere to ensuring the process runs as smoothly as possible. For example, there are specific timelines in which a respondent must file an acknowledgement of service.
What other aspects can a lawyer advise on?
As well as providing advice in respect of the divorce process, divorce lawyers can also offer invaluable advice on other aspects that should be considered by separating spouses, such as financial and child arrangements.
When attempting to go through the process alone using the online Government portal, you will not receive any tailored expert advice on your individual circumstances, such as on connected financial issues and child arrangements, and the divorce process will only cover the legally ending of the marriage. The financial aspects of divorce or child arrangements are not dealt with in the divorce. To ensure that all family law issues stemming from the breakdown of a marriage are resolved properly, you are always best to seek expert advice from a divorce solicitor.
The law always puts the needs and welfare of children first, so it’s important that child arrangements, and how the divorce will impact any children involved, is properly assessed alongside the divorce process. Working with an expert family lawyer can be the best way to ensure that the needs of children are met and fully considered.
Our associate family solicitor, John Newberry, says:
“Whilst the legal process of divorce itself may have been simplified, it is still the breakdown of a potentially loving relationship that will ultimately change the lives of those involved. The presence of a divorce solicitor who is trained in dealing with emotional distress will unquestionably be of help to the instructing party or invariably both parties. To remove the legal and administrative burden from our clients at potentially one of the most stressful times of their lives is a benefit that cannot be understated.”
Why choose Slater and Gordon for your divorce?
Here at Slater and Gordon, our expert divorce solicitors are family law specialists and can advise on all aspects of divorce. We experts on the no-fault divorce legislation, and can advise on alternative ways to resolve matrimonial disputes outside of Court, in a constructive and non-confrontational manner.
We offer a competitively priced, fixed-fee divorce service for just £540 including VAT, plus the court fees. Book an initial consultation with our experts today to seek advice on the different steps of divorce and gain a clear understanding of the divorce process and your next steps. Simply get in touch with our experienced team of family law solicitors on 0300 107 6505 or contact us via our online form or web chat.
We understand life’s journey doesn’t always go as planned. If you need a solicitor on your side, our expert family law team is on hand to ensure any challenges faced become less overwhelming, so you can move forward with confidence.