Just as Neil Sedaka said when he serenaded us with his song, “breaking up is hard to do”, there is no escaping how difficult it is to separate from someone you once loved or still love. However, it becomes even more complicated when you are married and need to get divorced. Marriage is a legally binding contract, and as such, there are legal processes that need to be fulfilled in order to break the agreement of staying together until death. However, with divorce solicitors in Guildford, this doesn’t have to be as onerous or daunting as it may sound.
Getting divorced
The law around getting divorced changed on 6th April 2022, and it is intended to remove some of the hostilities associated with one party having to accept fault for why the marriage or civil partnership is ending. Since April 2022, this is no longer a requirement, and parties can simply state that they wish to separate. Getting divorced is then a paperwork exercise: inform the court, apply for a conditional order (the first stage in getting divorced) and then apply for a final order (the final stage, when you are actually divorced). What happens to the kids and the house are separate matters, which may also need to be resolved in court if you cannot reach an agreement with your former spouse. Arbitration is another way that final decisions may be awarded.
Do I need a divorce solicitor then?
While it is fairly straightforward to get divorced, there can be no doubt that it is a timely process that could be made easier by having a divorce solicitor who can do the leg work for you. What’s more, if you cannot reach a decision about finances or arrangements for the children, then having a legal expert to represent you in court is crucial to ensure that you get what you are entitled to.
A family law solicitor will be able to advise you on what your rights are based on your specific circumstances, as they are highly knowledgeable about this area of law and how it will apply to your situation. Being informed in this way should enable you to make the right decisions and get the best outcome in the most timely manner.
These solicitors are also trained to handle all matters sensitively and confidentially, so you can have the legal weight taken off your shoulders while they do the hard work for you. If you do have mediation, you won’t have a solicitor representing you for this as it is a chance to discuss your point of view with your former partner in a controlled environment to help you decide who gets what, without the need to go to court. However, you may wish to have consulted a solicitor prior to this to seek advice about what would be a fair outcome for you in the eyes of the law.
Free consultation
To find out more about how a family solicitor can help you to get divorced and resolve any associated issues, look for a firm that offers a free consultation. This will allow you to discuss your specific circumstances and learn how the firm will be able to help and what they recommend you should do in the first instance. This can help to put your mind at ease so that you can start to deal with your emotions and, crucially, get the ball rolling to transition to a new chapter in your life.