Divorce
Marriage Difficulties and Divorce
If you are going through marriage problems, you will understandably feel that this is a difficult and life changing time for you. If you are uncertain about the future of your marriage or civil partnership, it could benefit you to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The Family Law team at Fraser Dawbarns are here to support you through this process.
It is worth bearing in mind that not every relationship breakdown will end in divorce. Many couples can save their relationship, and we can advise you of organisations that can help you and how to contact them.
Sadly, some relationships can’t be saved and the only way you can get a divorce is through legal channels. Depending on how complicated your circumstances are you may not need to go to Court to get a divorce.
Our Specialists
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Getting a Divorce
If you have decided to get a divorce, you will likely be unsure about what will happen to your children, property and finances as well as how much it will cost. Fraser Dawbarns will help you to understand the process by answering your questions and explaining your options.
No Fault Divorce
Following the Divorce Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the No-Fault Divorce system was introduced in England and Wales on 6th April 2022. There is no longer a requirement to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, 2 years separation with consent or 5 years separation, and it is now no longer possible to get a divorce on one of these five grounds. The law was introduced to reduce conflict by removing the need for a ‘guilty’ party where now the only ground for divorce is irretrievable breakdown of marriage, which for the first time, divorcing spouses can jointly apply together. The changes also mean that it is no longer possible to defend a divorce (except for some very limited circumstances based on jurisdiction). Jackie Jessiman has written about the new divorce law here. Family lawyer, Jackie Jessiman has written about this here.
How Long Will it take to get a divorce?
It takes at least 6 months to get a divorce. It is not possible to apply for the Conditional Order (Decree Nisi) until 20 weeks after issuing the proceedings and you cannot apply for the Final Order (Decree Absolute) until 6 weeks after the Conditional Order. Generally, it is advisable not to apply for the Final Order until all financial issues have been resolved.
Why do i need a solicitor for my divorce?
A divorce does not end financial claims. To ensure that neither party has a further financial claim on the other, a Clean Break Order must be obtained through a separate application to the court.
We often see when a relationship breaks down that most people try and deal with matters by agreement. They often have the misconception that instructing a solicitor will be expensive and that the solicitor will make the situation worse. They believe it is more amicable and preferable to reach an agreement without involving a solicitor. However, these agreements are not legally binding, whether this be arrangements for the children, finances, or the family home.
We strongly recommend taking legal advice at a very early stage of the relationship breakdown and we offer a free initial interview where we will provide full details of the costs. With a range of flexible and transparent payment schemes, you can have the confidence to seek professional advice without the fear of being faced with large legal fees.
Seeking legal advice guarantees that a fair resolution and a Clean Break Order are reached. This ensures that neither party are left financially worse off nor have a case for a claim in the future, as all agreements are legally binding. We are here to represent your best interests, giving you total peace of mind.
Rebecca Woodley has written more about Clean Breaks here.
Support and Guidance Through the Divorce Process
Most people seeking a divorce will need some kind of legal help. Our team can provide you with guidance and help you to formalise a financial agreement that protects you against future claims. We can help you with your paperwork and guide you toward a reasonable settlement.
In the majority of cases, you and your partner will reach a mutual agreement without having to go to Court for a contested hearing. Our Family Law team will take the time to understand your needs and help you reach a fair agreement that works for you, your partner and your children.
Fixed Fee Divorce
At Fraser Dawbarns, we understand that clients going through a divorce have enough to deal with without also having to worry about costs.
To give you total peace of mind, we have developed a fixed fee divorce package so you will know exactly how much things will cost before they proceed. This package costs £670 excluding VAT* and Court Fees (currently at £593)
* A 10% discount is available for pre-payment which brings the cost down to £603 excluding VAT
Included in the Fixed Fee Package is:
- An initial consultation with one of our specialist family lawyers who will be dedicated to your case
- Advice on your legal rights and your options
- Preparation of all the required papers and applications
- Correspondence and negotiation with your ex-spouse or civil partner, their solicitor and the Court
- Reporting to you and providing telephone support throughout the process
The Fixed Fee Package Does Not Include:
- Work that arises if the petition is defended or needs to be changed once it has been issued by the Court
- Cost of obtaining a replacement marriage certificate if you have lost the original
- Advice regarding financial issues
- Advice regarding children
Related Services
Separation
If you are in an unhappy marriage or you feel that your relationship is breaking down, you may be considering separation. If you are not ready to divorce your partner, you could consider a separation agreement. This sets boundaries about who will live in the family home, who will look after the children and how much maintenance will be paid. The Family Law team at Fraser Dawbarns can help you with separation agreements, judicial separation as well as the possibility of divorce in the future. If you have questions about any aspect of separation then we can help. Although the answer might not always be black and white, our specialist solicitors can help with your situation and advise on the legal implications of separation.
Unmarried Couples
It is widely believed that a couple who lives together for a significant length of time gain similar legal rights to a married couple, but this is a myth. The legal rights affecting a relationship breakdown in these situations is very different. Unmarried couples have no claim against the other for maintenance or pension sharing. This is regardless of how long they were together, or whether one was the breadwinner and the other raised the children. If you have joint finances, property or children together, finding out that you don’t have the same rights as a spouse can add stress to the break up. It is as important to seek legal advice in these situations as it is for people considering divorce.
Testimonials
I could not recommend Fraser Dawbarns highly enough. Bev Chase and Iain Grimes gave me friendly, honest advice from the start. They both did an excellent job for the from the start. This was done under unusual and very difficult circumstances for me. They were both professional and personable.Thank you both.Client - Downham Market Office
Why Choose Fraser Dawbarns to Help You?
We Help to minimise Family Conflict
At Fraser Dawbarns, our Family lawyers have considerable experience in divorce cases. Our dedicated team will help you get through this emotional and stressful time. We take a collaborative approach to achieve this with minimal conflict and acrimony. We will help you to reach a fair solution on any issues that arise involving children, property and money.
Our Family Law team will keep you informed at each step in the process so you know what is happening and what steps you need to take next. Fraser Dawbarns is one of the largest and most well-established firms in the region. We have members of our Family Law team at each of the firm’s offices in Wisbech, King’s Lynn, Downham Market, March and Ely.
Pricing Options
In more complex cases that are beyond the scope of the fixed fee service, we offer a choice of pricing options to our clients. By offering the choice between undertaking work on either a fixed fee basis or at an hourly rate, we give you the freedom to select the pricing option that best suits your needs. In certain circumstances we are able to offer a free consultation, please contact us to find out more about this.
Giving you Total peace of Mind
We offer our clients the expert and comprehensive legal advice that they are entitled to expect. We also provide our clients with support, a sympathetic ear and peace of mind during what is a very difficult and emotional time.
Contact Us Today
Our team will help you from the beginning of your case to the end, giving you total peace of mind. If you would like friendly, client focused advice on a wide range of legal issues, get in touch and see how we can help you.
Call or email us today and find out how we can make your life easier.
