Getting good advice about your divorce. Let’s talk legal.

I’ve started filming a comprehensive series of Divorce videos called ‘Divorce – Step By Step’ where I will cover your emotional  wellbeing informing you of your legal choices and financial options, supporting and helping you with my ideas for positive co- parenting & I will also be looking at the wider issues like losing some friends or family who take sides, or give you well meant advice that doesn’t really help.

The videos are designed to help you navigate the extremely challenging time of going through a divorce. As I believe divorce is a process NOT an event and many parents I work with are transfixed in fear, overwhelm, grief, anger & confusion during this time so my videos are designed to support you practically.

Getting divorced or dissolving a civil partnership can be an extremely emotional, worrying and difficult time. At such a stressful time you need someone on your side who will be there for you and a family law solicitor will support you through the divorce process, and will give you advice that you can trust about the things that matter most – your children, your home and your financial security.

Your solicitor will listen to you and discuss your options with you. They will let you know where you stand, tell you what your rights are and help you to understand what your ex-partner’s rights are as well. They will try to make the divorce as simple and as stress-free as possible.

If you have been living together but were not married, a family solicitor can help you understand your rights on a break-up.

The process for dissolving a civil partnership is the same as for a divorce, with the exception that the legal definition of adultery relates to heterosexual sex only, so adultery cannot be a reason for dissolving a civil partnership. In a civil partnership, being unfaithful would instead be unreasonable behaviour which is a reason for a divorce.

Most parents I work with are of course immediately worried about money and how much all of this professional advice will cost but you should seek legal advice as soon as you can if:

you are at risk of having nowhere to live
you are at risk of domestic violence or abuse
your ex-partner is not giving you enough access to your children
you are in a vulnerable financial position compared with your ex-partner
you are unsure what a fair settlement between you would look like
you have a lot of assets
you got married abroad, or you, your ex-partner or your children have non-UK nationality

Take your time. Get informed, look at your options, shop around for good legal advice but don’t cut corners because the important decisions that you are making today will have a huge impact on your future and the future of your children. You need to get these things right.

Did you know that many lawyers offer a free hour’s consultation and fixed fees?

One place to start is on The Law Society’s website.

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/getting-a-divorce/