If you are in need of professional legal advice to assist you in solving family matters, you may want to consider contacting family solicitors Portsmouth.
Family solicitors Portsmouth are experienced in providing professional legal advice for a number of issues including relationship planning, financial planning and divorce and separation to name a few.
For family solicitors, their main aim is to find resolutions as early as possible which also benefits all parties involved. For family matters, this is also particularly important when there are children involved.
If you are currently dealing with the unfortunate breakdown of a relationship or marriage and have been considering separating with your spouse and unsure of what route to take, family solicitors Portsmouth will be able to provide you advice on what best option to take.
Firstly, if you have been married for less than a year and would like to end your marriage you will not be able to get a divorce. However, you are able to get a legal separation. This process does not require you to go to court but does require you and your spouse to agree on separation arrangements known as a ‘separation agreement’. This agreement will include important arrangements including where you and your spouse plan to live separately, financial matters including bills and how money and belonging will be shared between the two of you. If you also have children this will help you both to work out who your child or children will live with and how often they will be seeing the other parent.
Although not legally binding, a separation agreement is a good way to ensure that both parties are clear about the terms of separation whilst waiting to start divorce proceedings. If unfortunately you are both unable to agree, it may be good to get a solicitor involved.
How Family Solicitors Portsmouth can help you with a divorce
If you have decided to go ahead and start divorce proceedings, family solicitors Portsmouth can guide you through the divorce process from start to finish following the Resolution Code of Practice. They will aim to ensure that matters are resolved in a constructive manner and as non confrontational as possible.
Before applying for a divorce, it is important to give a reason (also known as ‘facts’) as to why the marriage has been irreconcilably broken. The five reasons are:
- Unreasonable behaviour
- Adultery
- Seperated for at least two years
- Seperated for at least five years
- Desertion
Your family solicitor can help you decide on what fact to use to apply for your divorce and will also advise you as to what evidence is required.
To apply for a divorce you will need to provide the full name and address of your spouse along with the original marriage certificate and a fee of £550. Once your application has been checked and approved, your spouse will be sent the divorce application along with a form called ‘acknowledgement of service’ which they will need to send back as a response to your divorce application.
They can either agree or disagree with the divorce. If they agree, the divorce proceedings can continue by you applying for a decree nisi. If your spouse does not agree to the divorce, you can still apply for a decree nisi however you will be required to attend a court hearing in order to discuss the case.
The final step in making divorce proceedings is applying for a decree absolute, which will then both legally and formally end your marriage.
Your family solicitor will be with you every step of the way providing support and valuable advice to ensure that the process is as hassle free as possible.