Best Divorce Lawyers | Top Divorce Solicitors in the UK

The breakdown of any relationship can take a toll on your emotional as well as financial well-being. This is why it is important to seek the services of good divorce lawyers who are competent as well as trustworthy to help you navigate the legal process as swiftly as possible.

What is Divorce Law in the UK

Divorce is the legal process of ending a marital relationship or a civil partnership (although dissolution would be a more appropriate term for the latter). It can be more or less complicated depending on the circumstances of the couple and the reasons for their decision to part ways.

The divorce law in the UK underwent a drastic change with the enactment of no-fault divorce in 2022. This law ensures that couples can end their marriage without one person blaming the other, simply stating an ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage.’

However, the law varies from one place to another, which is why you need to hire from among the top divorce lawyers UK to get you through this process. If you’ve not been getting the right answers for search queries like ‘top divorce lawyers near me’ or ‘best divorce lawyer UK’, we’ve got a solution for you.

How to Choose the Best Divorce Solicitors with LawyerSorted

Hiring a divorce lawyer can make navigating the process of divorce much easier for you. However, it is important to choose a lawyer who has significant experience in family law. This ensures that your legal rights can be adequately protected in the court of law.

Factors to consider while hiring your divorce solicitor

Choosing the right lawyer can ensure your priorities are being met, whether it is minimising financial losses or protecting your relationship with your children. Here are the factors you need to consider before hiring your divorce lawyer-

Experience: The first and foremost consideration for choosing your family lawyer is that they should have the relevant experience and a good track record.

Specialisation: No one is more familiar with your situation than yourself. Analyse the complexities that may arise in your divorce process and choose a lawyer accordingly. For example, if property division is a concern, hire a lawyer who has been trained in property division law.

Availability: Make sure you and your lawyer are on the same page when it comes to time commitments. You do not want your case to be sidetracked because of other commitments they may have.

Fees: Be upfront about fees and payment matters. These may vary depending on your situation.

Communication style: Since family matters can be especially difficult, it’s better to choose a lawyer who can communicate in a sensitive yet honest manner.

Reputation: Lastly, take into account the testimonials from former clients as well as the accreditations listed on their websites.

A platform like Lawyersorted will not only help you streamline your search but also ensure you get access to the top divorce lawyers in the UK. You can also be assured of the transparency and integrity of the family law solicitors with verified profiles and accreditations.

The availability of thousands of testimonials from previous clients can help you make an informed decision based on your preferences and needs.

Top Services Offered by Divorce Lawyers

Child custody legal advice
Financial settlement advice
Property division
Contested divorce
Divorce legal advice
Adoptions and guardianship advice
Alimony negotiation
Mediation
Legal separation advice
Cohabitation agreement
Divorce maintenance

The Stages of Divorce: The Divorce Process Explained

Now that you know where and how to find good divorce solicitors with Laywersorted, let’s have a look at what this process might look like for you:

Filing the Divorce

The first step is filing a divorce. This can be done by a single partner (called the ‘applicant’) or through a joint application to the local family court by both partners.

However, it is important to note that you cannot file a divorce before 1 year of marriage. The court may grant you a judicial separation, at best, in this case.

Responding to a Divorce Application

In case the application has been filed through a sole application, the spouse will be notified by the court through a legal document and has to respond within 14 days along with an ‘acknowledgement of service’ form.

In case the respondent wishes to contest the divorce application, they can only do so on the basis of jurisdiction.

Applying for the Conditional Order

This document is issued by the court as a confirmation that there are no legal barriers to your divorce. However, the applicants can apply for this Order only after 20 weeks after the divorce application has been filed.

This has been introduced as a part of the no-fault divorce laws to give couples a chance to reconsider their decision.

Issue of the Final Order

Once 6 weeks have passed since the passing of the Conditional Order, the Final Order can be applied for. This legal document signifies the official and legal end of the marriage.

An important part of the procedure is the agreement on the division of assets, properties, shared responsibilities, and more. If children are involved, decisions need to be made about their custody and other such responsibilities.

Now, this can be done through a voluntary arrangement between both parties. However, if the parties fail to do so, they can resort to court intervention or non-confrontational dispute resolution. The two methods for this are:

Mediation: It involves seeking the services of impartial professionals to help you agree on a mutually acceptable resolution.

Collaborative law: This is another alternative for a relatively peaceful divorce settlement through a four-way meeting between the individuals seeking divorce and their respective lawyers.

Children in Divorce or Legal Separation

Child custody arrangements can be settled in court or through a voluntary agreement. Decisions about their education, co-parenting, and financial support fall under this category.

It is important to understand the emotional impact of your divorce on children. For parents who want to co-parent their children, it is best to avoid conflict as this can damage the relationship further while also affecting the children.

Divorce Financial Settlements

A financial settlement ensures that both individuals are compensated fairly for their contributions and that the well-being of the dependant child/ren is not compromised. For this, you have to get a financial consent order or a clean break order from the court as legal proof.

When is Annulment an Option?

An annulment is a legal ruling that confirms that a marriage has ended through the declaration that it is void and never technically existed or is legally invalid. You can apply for an annulment as soon as you’re married, unlike divorce.

You can prove the marriage invalid on one or more of the following grounds:

One or both partners were under 16 at the time of marriage
The partners are closely related
One of the partners was already in a civil partnership or marriage at the time of the marriage

However, if your application does not fall into this category, you can also prove that the marriage is now ‘voidable’ even though it was valid at the time.

These reasons could be:

If the marriage has not been consummated. (applicable only for heterosexual couples)
Your consent wasn’t taken into consideration
Your spouse was pregnant with another person’s child or had a STI disease at the time of the marriage
If your spouse had a mental disorder at the time of the marriage
In case your spouse decides to transition to another gender

To begin with this process, you need to file a ‘nullity application’, and the entire process can be completed within 6-8 months if there are no complications and both parties consent to the decision.

FAQs

1. What is no-fault divorce, and how does it change the divorce process in the UK?

The no-fault divorce reform allows couples to end a marriage or a civil partnership through a simple statement that confirms the ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’ without having to cite or prove any further reasons.

2. Can a divorce lawyer help with an international divorce?

If you or your spouse reside in another country or own property overseas, you can use the services of an international divorce lawyer to help you through the process.

3. Will I have to go to court when getting divorced?

In case the divorce is uncontested and both parties agree on the settlement terms, you can hire a fixed-fee divorce solicitor and separate without having to attend court at all.

4. Can divorce lawyers help with child custody arrangements?

Yes, you can seek legal guidance from expert family law solicitors to navigate the process of divorce and child custody in your respective jurisdiction.

5. How is divorce settlement determined in the UK?

Divorce settlements are made on the basis of the contributions made by both parties in the marriage and various other factors- it might not always amount to a 50/50 split since the aim is a ‘fair’ and not an ‘equal’ settlement.

6. What is the average cost of hiring a divorce solicitor in the UK?

Hiring a solicitor can cost you anywhere between £500 to £5,000, depending on the nature of your case and the hourly consultation fee charged by your lawyer.

7. How long does the divorce process take?

The divorce process takes at least 6 months to complete, even if the process is straightforward. It may take more than that time if there are other complex issues that need to be resolved.

8. What are the benefits of LawyerSorted in finding divorce law firms?

LawyerSorted connects you with the best solicitors for divorce with verified profiles and significant recognition in their field.

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