Droitwich – Family Law Services
Divorce and Separation
Divorce can all too often become a stressful and prolonged process, whether you or your ex-partner are starting the divorce petition. The repercussions of your decisions will potentially affect so many areas of your life including your children, your finances and your home, now and well into the future.
Considering all the available options open to you is the first step towards a hopefully brighter future once you have decided to follow this course of action. As experienced divorce solicitors, we will guide you through the legal process and tailor our advice based on your circumstances and the approach you would like to take when dealing with this difficult time in your life.
Collaborative Practice and Resolution
When a couple or family is faced with an inevitable breakdown, Collaborative law represents the process of generating positive outcomes based on open, fair and honest communication between ex partners and their solicitors, with an understanding that neither party will issue proceedings.
If you feel you are going through an “amicable” break up and want a fair resolution for all concerned, then Collaborative law, through a series of face to face meetings including both parties and their solicitors called four way meetings, represents a process designed to reach an acceptable agreement through collaborative discussions. Issues can be identified and resolved relatively quickly due to direct contact avoiding time consuming correspondence by post.
Private Children Act Proceedings
However hard you try as a parent to protect your children from the emotional rollercoaster of a separation or divorce, sometimes the only solution will be to make an application to the courts for child arrangement orders, or perhaps to deal with your ex partner initiating similar court proceedings.
Asking the courts to resolve your issues, can be a drawn out and potentially complicated process, as the main priority is making sure the outcome fully protects the children, with the minimum of disruption.
At the Worcester Family Law Practice, we will offer expert advice to ensure you are fully aware of your legal options when considering the best course of action that protects your children during and after any court proceedings you may take or be faced with. Our aim is to always give straight forward guidance in a sensitive and empathetic way.
Financial Remedy Proceedings
Letting the courts sort out the “financials” of your divorce or separation is usually a remedy required after you have already tried and failed to reach an agreement with your ex-partner over who has what. Also known as an ‘ancillary relief order,’ a financial remedy order enables you to settle your financial dispute in court.
A financial remedy order may be used to take control over a number of financial assets including, lump sums, property ownership, pensions and the set up regular payments to help out with childcare and living arrangements and can take between 6 and 12 months to finalise. This is because you will be expected to attend a series of court appointments and hearings so that the court can get a full understanding of the situation from both sides, and assess the assets involved.