divorce solicitor london

10
Mar
2021
How to have a Good Divorce?

How to have a Good Divorce?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

1. Find a Good Divorce Lawyer

In order to achieve a Good Divorce start with a Good Divorce Lawyer who will support you through the process. What does that mean? It’s essentially about finding a divorce and family lawyer who takes a constructive approach to family law matters and whose objective is to help you to achieve an amicable and efficient divorce.

I am a divorce and family law specialist based in Kensington. I aim to support my clients through difficult times with an empathetic and constructive approach

2. Obtain further support

I have recognised that my clients may need additional support from experts who offer services that I cannot provide. To learn more about the experts I work with visit my additional support page here.

I have teamed up with Transitions Coach, Jane Parslow, who provides support to those going through a divorce and helps her clients to find clarity and direction. As a coach, Jane offers the emotional support and guidance that sometimes falls outside of my remit. Jane’s website can be found here.

3. How can a coach help?

When the divorce process becomes overwhelming, Jane’s services encourage you to talk about your emotions and feelings, and she will help you to get into the right mindset before speaking to your solicitor. She also helps you to find clarity and to understand your role in the divorce. For example, what do you need to be getting on with and what can you leave to your solicitor?

4. Five Stages of the Divorce

With this in mind, Jane and I have identified the Five Stages of Divorce and will be presenting a series of videos on how to get through the stages with clarity, purpose and direction.

The purpose of this series is to help you to understand how to achieve a good divorce. The videos will highlight what you may be feeling at each stage and how to overcome these feelings in a positive way with coaching and legal advice. At the end of the series you will get a better understanding of what to do, in the right order, and how to deal with overwhelm, ensuring that you have the best future for yourself and your family following a separation or divorce.

If you would like to learn more about the divorce process please do not hesitate to

Email me

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    Posted by admin in Divorce
    10
    Dec
    2020
    No Fault Divorce

    No Fault Divorce

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    No Fault Divorce has finally been introduced to England and Wales after years of campaigning by Resolution, the community of family justice professionals, and family lawyers, who welcome the change.

    The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act was passed by Parliament in 2020. The purpose of the Act is to remove fault from divorce, helping couples to separate and divorce without blaming each other.

    I am particularly happy with the change. Removing fault from the divorce application, the first stage of the divorce process, should reduce the animosity and help divorcing couples have a good divorce.

    Family Lawyer Consultation with client

    This is certainly how I prefer to act for my clients during a divorce. I do acknowledge, and regularly come across situations when it is necessary to take a firmer approach. In any event, I am confident that the Act, once implemented, will reduce conflict allowing couples to agree child-focused arrangements and fair financial settlements by starting the divorce without making accusations against each other.

    In my view, the change will also help if you are unsure about starting divorce proceedings. You may consider speaking to a family lawyer and/or initiating the process sooner. This is because you no longer need to worry about what you have said about your spouse in your divorce application and how they might react. For more information about starting divorce proceedings, read my article here.

    The Current Law

    Currently there is one ground for divorce, the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You must rely on one of the five following facts:

    • Adultery
    • Behaviour
    • Desertion – 2 years
    • 2 years’ separation with consent
    • 5 years’ separation

    If you have not been separated for more than 2 years then you are left with two options. If adultery is not applicable then you must rely on behaviour. This is the fact that requires you to blame your spouse. Whilst the types of behaviour can be mild, this can sometimes not be enough to satisfy the court. The recent case of Owens v Owens 2018, where Mrs Owens was not permitted to divorce her husband because her behaviour examples were considered too flimsy, highlighted how out of date the law relating to divorce currently is.

    What does No Fault mean for Divorce?

    The Act will make the following changes to the current law:

    • The five facts above will be replaced with a statement to show the irretrievable breakdown
    • The other party will not be able to contest the divorce
    • It will provide an option for a joint application
    • They will remove old fashioned legal terms with plain English
    • Decree Nisi will be called a Conditional Order and Decree Absolute will be called a Final Order

    When does No Fault Divorce start?

    The government is still working on the implementation. It is hoped that you will be able to start your no fault divorce in Autumn 2021 or the beginning of 2022.

    Can I have a good divorce before No Fault Divorce starts?

    Absolutely! I actively encourage it. Having a good divorce is largely reliant on how you and your spouse approach the divorce. It is also important to engage a divorce lawyer who shares your approach. The current divorce procedure should be used to have a good divorce if you cannot wait until the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022 to start divorce proceedings.

    If you need help with your divorce or would like to arrange an initial consultation to speak to me at my office in Kensington about your divorce

    do call me on 0203 916 5585 or

    Email me

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    Posted by admin in Divorce
    06
    Sep
    2020
    Are pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding and what are the advantages of entering into them?

    Are pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding and what are the advantages of entering into them?

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The court uses a three stage test when considering whether to uphold the terms of a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement:

    1. The agreement must be freely entered into;
    2. Both parties must have a full understanding of the terms of the agreement;
    3. It must be fair to hold the parties to this agreement.

    If you are considering entering into a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement the following may help with the decision making.

    Advantages

    1. You will make it clear, and agree at the outset of your marriage, as to whether a particular asset is yours alone, or whether you are happy for it to be shared on any future divorce. This provides certainty and avoids lengthy and costly litigation in the future, which in turn saves you in legal fees.

    2. You will provide each other with disclosure of your assets before any agreement is reached, allowing you to agree to protect any assets, such as gifts or property received before the marriage. You can also protect your assets from any of your partner’s debts now or in the future.

    3. Entering into an agreement should lead to fewer arguments about your finances and will help you communicate about financial matters during the marriage.

    4. The agreement will protect any assets ring-fenced for your children and will set out what will happen to your assets on your death, ensuring that your children are taken care of.

    5. If you are concerned that your partner wishes to marry you for your money, the agreement should help to put your mind at rest.

    Disadvantages

    1. The agreements are not legally binding, however, following the Supreme Court decision in Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42, the court will uphold a pre-nuptial agreement and a post-nuptial agreement if it satisfies the three stage test above.

    2. The agreement cannot anticipate what will happen in the future. If there is a significant change of circumstances, it is unlikely that the agreement will be upheld by the family court. In an attempt to ensure that the agreement is upheld by the court, the document should be reviewed on a significant change of circumstances, resulting in further legal fees and potential upset, and puts a strain on your relationship.

    3. The court is unlikely to uphold an agreement that is no longer in the best interests of any children of the marriage. Any agreement reached will be dependent on the circumstances of the children at the time of the divorce.

    What is the difference between a Pre-nuptial and a Post-nuptial agreement?

    A pre-nuptial agreement is entered into before the marriage and the post-nuptial agreement is entered into after the marriage. The same rules apply to both documents.

    Should I be offended by a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement?

    It might come as a bit of a shock but try not to be offended. Think of it as a practical step to be open about your finances and how you will communicate this in your marriage. Always take legal advice from a family lawyer to ensure that the agreement is fair and in your best interests.

    What if they will not marry me without the pre-nuptial agreement?

    Do not feel forced into signing or entering into an agreement without taking legal advice first as you could end up dismissing some of your legal rights. If the other party insists on the agreement, inform them that you will need to speak to a family solicitor before signing and they must allow you the time to do so. Once you have taken advice you will then be in a position to decide whether entering into the agreement is right for you.

    If you would like to know more about pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, or if you are considering entering into one

    Email me
    Family Lawyer in London

    Priya Gill Liaudet is a specialist Divorce and Family Lawyer who leads with empathy and deals with family matters constructively

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    Posted by admin in Agreements, Divorce