Head of Family, Children and Divorce
Associate
Chartered Legal Executive
Trainee Chartered Legal Executive
The decision to end a relationship is rarely taken lightly. A break-up is usually a time of great anguish, shock and often stress. The process of bringing a relationship to an end will have a major emotional and financial impact on all family members. Finding the right family lawyer will help you explore your options, discuss your rights and obligations and work with you towards your preferred solution.
Our family law specialists are members of Resolution and subscribe to its Code of Conduct. Our aim is to help separating couples achieve a tailored, constructive and fair settlement, to minimise conflict and to support the welfare of any children. If others involved do not adopt the same approach however, we will take as robust an approach as is necessary to protect your interests.
The options available depend on the nature of your relationship.
We can work with you to complete the formalities necessary to end your marriage or civil partnership and to deal with other issues such as the related finances and issues relating to your children.
On 6 April 2022 the new “no-fault divorce” came into effect. This allows couples to end their marriage or civil partnership without blaming the other.
We are also committed and experienced collaborative lawyers and can talk to you about whether this could be the right option for you and your family.
There are many personal reasons why you may not wish to divorce immediately or at all, and not only for religious reasons. If so, we can explore with you how best to protect your position, including the option of Judicial Separation.
If you and your spouse or partner can agree financial issues directly, with our help or perhaps with the help of mediation or collaborative law then this agreement can be incorporated into a separation agreement and in certain circumstances can be approved by a court.
Separating cohabitees face the same emotional experiences when a relationship breaks down. However, it is a myth that living together results in protection as a “common law spouse”. Unlike married couples and civil partners, cohabitees are not given the protection of matrimonial law, particularly in relation to financial matters. The outcome depends very heavily on individual circumstances and what was either implied or agreed between you both. For more information see our section on cohabitation, or contact one of our family lawyers.
Please contact Carmelita Ardren Head of Family on 01423 566666 or use this link to complete our online enquiry form and a member of our family law team will get back to you.
