Divorce Lawyers London
Getting a divorce is a big step and you need to understand what’s involved before you begin the process. For this you need professional expert advice and our Divorce Lawyers London office will be happy to give you all the information you need to decide if divorce is the right solution. In the meantime here is some more background on what to expect when you ‘re looking to get divorced.
Grounds for Divorce
The first thing that you need to do is to demonstrate that your marriage has broken down to such an extent that there is no chance of repairing the relationship. In England and Wales you can petition the court for a divorce after you have been married for a full year and if one of the following applies:
Adultery - If you find out that your partner has had an affair, which they’ve admitted or can be proved, you probably have grounds to divorce them. Even if you continue to live with your spouse, you may still be able to use the adultery as grounds for a divorce; however, you will need to submit the petition within six months of finding out about the affair.
Unreasonable Behaviour - In England and Wales this term is used to describe a situation where your partner is behaving in such a way that it would be unreasonable to expect you to carry on living with them, and this is probably the most common reason for divorce. As grounds for divorce, unreasonable behavior covers a wide range of situations, such as drug or alcohol abuse, financial irresponsibility, and even an over commitment to work or a career.
Desertion – Having your spouse leave you for a period of two years or more without your permission is grounds for a divorce, even if it’s an uncommon one.
Separation for 2 years – This would apply to couples who’ve been living apart for more than two years and who both agree that divorce is the best option, resulting in an Uncontested Divorce. If couples have been living separately for two years and then tried getting back together, they can still obtain a divorce on these grounds so long as they were not living together for more than 6 months during the attempt to save their marriage.
Separation for 5 years – Sometimes one partner doesn’t want to get divorced. In this case you will need to be living separately for 5 years before you can file for a divorce, and this would be what’s known as a Contested Divorce process.
How long does it take?
Just as every relationship is unique, so is every divorce. In some cases it can be a very amicable affair, while in other situations there can be a lot of animosity between the two parties. The attitude of the couple getting divorced will have a big impact on how long the process is likely to take. Those parties that enter proceedings with an attitude of co-operation and open negotiation could reasonably expect the Decree Absolute to be awarded within a few months. Those who run into issues which they can’t agree on might have to wait years for their divorce to become final.
The best way to ensure a quick and fair divorce is to have most of the details worked before you start proceedings. Even if a couple have every intention of trying to make the process as smooth as possible, deciding what’s fair can be difficult without proper help and advice. The best approach is for both partners to obtain independent advice from qualified, specialist solicitors. Our Divorce Lawyers London office can provide the support you need and help to keep a quick, amicable divorce on track.
Costs
Although there are standard fees charged by the courts for processing your divorce, a large percentage of your legal costs will be made up by your divorce solicitor’s fees. These will vary depending on the time that it takes to reach a settlement, how complex your case is and the rates charged by your solicitor. Although solicitors’ rates may vary this should not be the main criteria for choosing your legal representation. It is far more important to hire a solicitor that’s best suited to dealing with your particular situation. If cost is an issue, in some cases you might be able to ask that your spouse pay for your legal fees. Our Divorce Lawyers London office can help you understand your options and offer a level of service that suits your situation and your budget. Click the link to understand more about divorce costs.
Alternatives to Divorce
Many couples who no longer wish to live together choose not to petition the court for a divorce for a number of reasons. They may be spending some time apart with a view to reconciliation, or perhaps they accept that they will not be getting back together, but don’t want to divorce for religious or financial reasons.
No matter what the reasoning behind it, Separation, whether formal or informal, is a valid alternative to divorce. With any separation there may be some issues which need to be formalised, especially where children and money are concerned. To find out more, click the link to get more information on Separation link or contact our Family Lawyers London office.
When you are dealing with a divorce or any other Family Law issue then you need to get the best advice possible. Our Divorce Lawyers London office will provide the support you need and have a range of services to suit most budgets.